It can be both challenging and time-consuming to revoke a physician’s medical license, particularly a high-ranking physician. Fear of retaliation among colleagues, combined with hospitals’ prioritization of confidentiality, can delay investigations into a “problem physician.”
According to Alex Keoskey, in a recent article published with MDLinx, many medical workers are not familiar with the proper procedure or the appropriate channels for reporting misconduct. They may also be “reluctant to get involved out of self-preservation—the fear of backlash or ostracism.” Full and fair investigations need to be conducted, and it is crucial for a board “to ensure that they have all the underlying facts in order to ensure that whatever action the board decides to take is thoroughly sound and survives a possible contested appeal by the targeted physician.”
