Nearly one in four physicians have been investigated by a medical board at least once, according to Medscape's "'Be Just and Fair': Medscape Physicians' Thoughts on Medical Boards Report 2024," published Aug. 27.
Here are eight additional facts to know about physicians and medical board investigations:
1. Only 5% of physicians have been the subject of a complaint to a state medical board more than once.
2. About 34% of board investigations are triggered by patients and their families, while 24% are triggered by other physicians.
3. Medical board complaints impact 38% of physician's interactions with patients a little, while 24% of physician interactions are impacted a lot.
4. Medical board complaints impact 41% of physician's attention to tasks a little, while 31% of physician interactions are impacted a lot.
5. Half of physicians feel a responsibility to report fellow physicians' misbehavior to medical boards.
6. About 45% of physicians believe that medical board investigations are thorough and appropriately tough, while an additional 45% believe they are strict in some cases and easygoing in others.
7. Only 10% of physicians believe that medical boards are inconsistent in enforcing rules.
8. Over half of physicians (53%) back medical boards targeting medical misinformation.