It’s never pleasant to think that the medical board has opened an investigation into your medical practice – especially because your entire career could be affected.
It’s always important to understand what sort of complaints or reports can launch an investigation, and what investigators are likely to examine. Here are the things that can lead to the biggest issues:
Patient complaints
Whether it’s related to medical negligence, communication issues or inappropriate behavior, complaints from patients can send up alarm bells about a doctor’s practice. Medical boards thoroughly investigate the nature of these complaints to determine if there are patterns of misconduct or if even isolated incidents warrant disciplinary action.
Criminal activity
Criminal offenses, such as fraud, substance abuse-related charges or violent crimes can all impact a doctor’s abilities as a healthcare provider. Many physicians make the mistake of trying to hide charges from the medical board instead of dealing with the issues head-on.
Mental and physical health issues
Medical boards can assess whether doctors are suffering from conditions that may impair their ability to practice, such as untreated mental health issues or cognitive impairments.
Substance abuse
Substance abuse is a grave concern in the medical profession. Medical boards closely monitor signs of substance abuse through drug testing and assessments. Doctors who are found to be struggling with substance abuse are often offered rehabilitation and support programs.
Office policies and procedures
Medical boards also scrutinize a doctor’s office policies and procedures to ensure compliance with ethical and legal standards. This includes the proper maintenance of medical records, adherence to informed consent practices and the use of effective communication channels with patients.
If you find yourself under investigation by the medical board for any reason, it’s never wise to try to handle the situation on your own. The appropriate legal guidance can often minimize any potential fallout.