The legislation would require physicians to share their probationary status with patients for transgressions including substance abuse, medical mistakes, illegal drug sales and sexually fondling patients.
“People have an overriding faith in the medical profession and don’t think to ask or question their doctor’s [status] … But that doesn’t mean there aren’t bad doctors,” said Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, chair of the Senate Business Professions and Economic Development Committee, according to the Bee.
In June 2016, Mr. Hill introduced a physician disclosure bill — Senate Bill 1033 — which ultimately fell six votes short of passing, according to the Bee.
Among California’s nearly 135,000 licensed physicians and surgeons, approximately 635 are currently under disciplinary orders, according to data from the Medical Board of California cited by the Bee. While it is typical practice for most physicians under probationary orders to have their licenses revoked, the court action can be stayed while the physicians are on probation for three to 10 years. During that time period physicians can continue to practice medicine with situation-specific caveats. For example, a male physician accused of sexual misconduct may not treat a female patient without supervision.
The California Medical Association, which represents physicians in the state, has previously opposed mandatory notification.
“CMA is committed to ensuring patient safety and supports a strong medical board,” said CMA spokeswoman Joanne Adams in a statement Thursday, according to the Bee. “It’s also paramount that due process is observed. As a result, we have been working with Assemblywoman Anna Caballero, former director of the Department of Consumer Affairs, to sponsor AB 505, which requires the most egregious allegations to go through a full hearing process so that the medical board has a finding effect before deciding upon disciplinary actions. This will protect due process but allow the medical board to appropriately discipline bad actors and protect California patients.”
The proposal is among more than 20 such Senate committee recommendations to be considered as part of the review of the Medical Board, which is up for approval every four years, according to the Bee.
More articles on physician issues:
NPR: ACA repeal puts community health centers at stake
An ‘eye-opening’ experience: Canadian physician shadows nurse for a day
Study: Burned out physicians less likely to view medicine as their ‘calling’
