What Are Common Disciplinary Actions Taken Against Medical Workers?
October 19, 2022
With years of schooling and experience comes the privilege of providing patients with the expertise necessary to move them in a direction toward good health. In return for a physician’s oath and expertise, patients place their trust in their physician.
Nevertheless, physicians are still held accountable for many things. In fact, physicians may be held to one of the highest standards of accountability amongst all professions, being subject to disciplinary actions taken by state medical boards. Although rare, disciplinary actions are taken when a physician exhibits improper professional conduct or practices medicine recklessly.
Like any professional, they are also sometimes unfairly targeted. That is why it is important for physicians and other medical professionals to view what possible disciplinary actions may come their way if they are subjected to an investigation.
State medical boards oversee many infractions in the medical profession. Without the boards, there would not be a concise and effective way to hold physicians accountable for their actions. Once a physician is reported, the appropriate medical board will begin an investigation.
The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), a national non-profit organization, represents 70 state medical boards. They support board members in providing protection for the health, safety, and welfare of the public. This is accomplished through the proper licensing, regulation, and disciplinary actions necessary to hold physicians accountable for their actions.
The state medical boards share any disciplinary action with each other through the FSMB Physician Data Center. The information is also available online to the public through the FSMB online service. Any disciplinary action as the result of an investigation becomes part of a physician’s permanent record.
Common forms of disciplinary actions include:
- License restricted.
- Reprimand.
- Administrative action.
- Fines.
- Conditions imposed, meaning the physician must fulfill specific requirements to avoid any further disciplinary action by the board.
What Types of Infractions Require Disciplinary Action?
According to the FSMB, roughly 8,000 disciplinary actions are taken each year. Disciplinary actions happen for various reasons. They include sexual misconduct, patient neglect, the improper prescribing of drugs, operating below the accepted standard of care, and alcohol or substance abuse. Other examples are felony conviction, fraud, insufficient record keeping, failure to meet up-to-date medical education requirements, and dishonesty when applying for a license.
Philadelphia Physician Lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. Represent Medical Workers Who Are Facing Disciplinary Actions
If you are a physician or other medical professional who has been targeted by an investigation or is facing disciplinary action, you need a lawyer on your side. One of our experienced Philadelphia physician lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. will fight hard to provide you with the protection you deserve. Call us at 215-569-1999 or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, we serve clients throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, including Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Northeast Philadelphia, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, and Montgomery County.
