In case some readers still need to be convinced that the American healthcare system may be detrimental to your health, a recent study finds that physicians don’t police themselves adequately even when required by law to do so. The study by the Institute for Health policy indicates that physicians seem to be quite comfortable violating the law and allowing potentially dangerous mistakes or poor care to go unreported.

As a test, next time you have to go to the hospital stop by the medical staff office and ask these questions:
1) How many physicians have been involuntarily removed from the medical staff in the last 2 years?
2) How many physicians have been reported to the data bank in the last 2 years?
3) How many physicians have had privileges restricted in the last 2 years?
4) How many physicians have had their privileges “non-renewed” in the last 2 years?

I can tell you now that the answer to every question will probably be NONE. Now you have to ask your self: Is it possible that every single physician on this medical staff is really that good? Are the standards too low? Could it be both?

Every state in the US has a medical board that licenses physicians. Every state medical board has as the fundamental reason for existence the protection of the public. Take for instance this exerpt by Donald Patrick, MD, JD in my own state of Texas, in which he notes that the purpose of the board is “safeguarding the public through professional accountability.” The state medical boards do not exist for the benefit of physicians. To his credit Dr. Patrick has begun disciplining physicians who fail to report misconduct. I think that’s an excellent move.

Yet the study clearly indicates that state medical boards have poorly influenced the willingness of physicians to meet simple requirements of the law. It’s a pity. I had higher expectations of my colleagues.

You must be in charge of your healthcare.