FSMB data show modest dip in disciplinary actions

The figures for one year are in contrast to a five-year increase of 35%.

By Damon Adams, AMNews staff. May 22/29, 2006.

Disciplinary actions taken against physicians by state medical boards dropped slightly from 2004 to 2005, according to a new report by the Federation of State Medical Boards. But board officials said figures for one year are not enough to point to a trend that the decrease will continue.

In fact, during the past five years, disciplinary actions against doctors have increased 35%, the report shows.

Prejudicial actions such as suspensions, revocations and reprimands against physicians increased from 4,015 in 2001 to 5,412 in 2005. The number of non-prejudicial actions, which frequently are administrative and include actions such as license denial due to lack of qualification, went from 647 to 801 during the same period, a 24% increase.

Board leaders say reasons for the increase include improved efforts to crack down on problem physicians, streamlined complaint processes, additional board staff in some states and a rise in the physician population. A focus on patient safety by the public and elected officials also has contributed by raising awareness of medical errors and placing more scrutiny on medical boards.

"All of the boards are looking at ways in which they can be more diligent and efficient in serving the public," said James N. Thompson, MD, president and CEO of the FSMB, which released the numbers last month.

The Florida Board of Medicine increased total actions from 381 in 2001 to 901 in 2005. The board refined its complaint process, reducing the time it takes to resolve complaints. Other improvements included adding 50 employees and using outside consultants.