Medical boards feel pressure, get tougher

Internet prescribing also comes into play.

By Damon Adams, amednews staff. April 21, 2003.

During the past 10 years, state medical boards have steadily increased disciplinary actions against doctors.

One explanation is a growing physician population. But there is more at work than demographics.

Public awareness of medical errors has prompted increased scrutiny of medical boards and, in turn, boards have stepped up their scrutiny of physicians. Board reforms, frequently driven by state legislation, often result in stepped-up enforcement, as has a crackdown on substandard care. And some boards are taking a tough stance on Internet prescribing.

Medical board actions rose from 3,707 in 1993 to 4,875 in 2002 -- a 32% climb, according to annual summaries of board actions compiled by the Federation of State Medical Boards.

During those 10 years, punitive actions -- license suspensions, revocations, probations and other restrictions -- increased 35% (3,081 to 4,169 actions). Rising 13% (626 to 706) were non-prejudicial actions such as license denials due to lack of qualification and reinstatement following disciplinary action.

"Boards are working harder and harder at identifying and bringing to action physicians who are not behaving appropriately or have quality issues," said James Thompson, MD, chief executive officer of the Texas-based FSMB.

For several years, the main reasons for physician disciplinary actions have been substance abuse, unprofessional conduct and prescribing violations.

[...]

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