Set Yourself Up for Success and Good Patient Outcomes, Not a Lawsuit
CE Information
0.5 CME creditsCompletion Time
30 minutesAvailable Until
March 7, 2026Posted By
Arkansas Academy of Physician Assistants
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Overview
This talk addresses the type of legal liability cases in which PAs have been involved in Arkansas over the last twenty years and the outcomes of a sampling of cases. We touch on the primary reasons for actions taken against PAs by the State Medical Board.
Learning Objectives
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Understand the legal relationship between a Physician and a Physician Assistant in Arkansas and why that matters.
- Relationship between the PA and physician in Arkansas
- Legal implications of that structure
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Consider an overview of cases involving PAs in Arkansas for the last 20 years, including some examples of outcomes from both the legal action as well as the Arkansas State Medical Board action taken in some cases.
- Categories of malpractice claims in existing case law
- Categories of actions taken against PAs by the State Medical Board
- Understand a fundamental approach to reducing the likelihood of legal action against oneself as a practicing PA.\
- Importance of CME – the floor and the ceiling
- Patient relationships
Speakers
Theresa Morris currently has a private law practice in Little Rock. In addition to her three primary areas of focus—criminal defense, personal injury, and estate planning—she also includes time for consulting and/or representing PAs in reviewing employment contracts and representing them in issues involving the State Medical Board. During the first half of 2025, she will be adding Veterans Law and Social Security Disability Law to her areas of practice. Issues arising at the intersection of law and medicine impacting patient care and outcomes are of particular interest. Her professional legal background includes serving as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Pulaski County and an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Little Rock. She continues volunteering through the Arkansas Access to Justice Free Legal Answers program, which allows her to work with law students while helping those in need. Theresa also volunteers her time through pro bono and low-bono representation of clients from marginalized communities—the primary motivation for pursuing a law degree. Theresa graduated from the University of Arkansas William H. Bowen School of Law in 2022. Formerly on faculty and inaugural faculty at the UAMS PA Program and at her alma mater, South University PA Program in Savannah, Georgia, Theresa has not lost her love of medicine and especially of being around PAs – students or those in PA education and clinical practice! Theresa lives in Little Rock with her spouse Judy and her fur babies Max, Ozzie, Lucy, Baxter, and Mozart.
CE Information
This activity offers 0.5 CME credits to attendees.
Accredited by AAPA.
This activity has been reviewed by the American Academy of Physician Associates Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 22 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid from 3/26/2025 to 3/7/2026 . PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation. AAPA reference number: CME-2013092.
Disclosures
Sole member of Law Office of Theresa A. Morris, PLLC
Activity Content
Registration to this activity includes access to the following supporting materials.
- Set Yourself Up for Success (Size: 246 KB)
Duration: 29 minutes | Quality: HD
11 questions
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