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Sidney L. Gold and Associates, P.C.

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Philadelphia Physician Attorneys

Sidney L. Gold & Associates Represent and Counsel Medical Residents Facing Termination

Medical residents notoriously work long hours with little or no sleep, face grueling on-the-job training and deal with one of the most stressful jobs in the medical field. Mistakes can happen, tempers can flare and a resident can suddenly find themselves on the wrong side of their employer. Whatever the details of their case may be, it is a devastating prospect for a resident to face the chance that their medical residency could be in jeopardy.

Getting to the level of an active residency requires years of undergraduate studies, medical school, personal sacrifices, financial hurdles and grit. Unfortunately in some cases, just when a resident sees the light at the end of the tunnel, they get hit with a disciplinary action that threatens to affect or end their residency program. Reprimands, probation, suspension, non-renewal or termination from the residency program can end a medical career before it even gets started.

Philadelphia health care attorneys at Sidney L. Gold & Associates have more than 35 years experience counseling and representing physicians and residents in the medical industry. The team of experienced physician lawyers at the firm understands how much is at stake for the resident, and is committed to providing the legal services they need to protect their career.

Residents faced with Disciplinary Action Require the Skills of an Experienced Health Care Attorney

When a resident discovers that there has been a complaint filed against them, they are most likely upset. Fear, uncertainty and anxiety about how the charges will affect their residency and future can unnerve even the most confident resident. The first order of business is for the resident to take a deep breath and find out as much information as they can about the charges brought against them, as well as the disciplinary policies of their employer. If the charges are minor and will most likely result in a reprimand, confiding in a coworker or seeking the advice of someone experienced with the policies of the employer may be all that is needed. However, some cases will need the advice of legal counsel to minimize or eliminate disciplinary consequences.

Most disciplinary actions are taken against residents or graduate fellows who violate one or more of the core competencies of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). During the residency program, the medical residents work to master these core competencies that include patient care, medical knowledge, practice based learning and improvement, systems based practice, professionalism, interpersonal skills and communication. The goal of the program is to help the resident master all six core competencies, but in some cases residents fall short and disciplinary proceedings are started.

The medical resident should first understand that termination of residency is usually a last resort reserved for repetitive or the most serious violations. To fully protect themselves, residents should become familiar with ACGME policies and their own in-house policies on discipline. Every employer is required by ACGME to provide due process to the resident under investigation. A panel made up of impartial members of the medical community must be assembled so that the resident can testify to what they believe are the facts in the case. After hearing from both sides, the panel then makes a recommendation on what actions should be taken. The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) can then accept or reject the recommendation.

Enlisting the services of a competent health care attorney is a wise decision for any resident facing disciplinary action. The attorney’s understanding and experience with the core competencies will enable the resident to prepare a strong defense. Formative and summative evaluations can go a long way in building up a resident’s reputation for competency. Letters of support from doctors, nurses and other colleague and residents can affirm your skills and professionalism. Awards earned or special recognition from past schools or medical institutions and successful test scores can prove your academic knowledge and success.

Protecting the Legal Rights and Careers of Medical Residents are Top Priorities for Philadelphia Health Care Attorneys at Sidney L. Gold & Associates

The top priority of the team of Philadelphia health care attorneys at Sidney L. Gold & Associates is to protect the legal rights and future careers of their medical resident clients. Sidney L. Gold is the founder and chief shareholder of the firm who commits his personal attention and valuable experience to each case. With over 35 years of experience working in health care law, Attorney Gold knows just what you need for a successful outcome for your case.

Call us at 215-569-1999 or complete our online contact form to schedule a consultation today. From our Philadelphia offices, we provide services to clients throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

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