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Doctors whose competence has been reviewed under the Medical Practitioners Act 1995
1Medical Council of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand. istgeorge@mcnz.org.nz
The New Zealand Medical Journal
|July 3, 2003
Summary
Fewer than half of doctor competence concerns lead to a review, and only a quarter of those reviews find doctors failing to meet standards. This analysis examines referrals under the Medical Practitioners Act 1995.
Area of Science:
- Medical Regulation
- Healthcare Professional Standards
- Doctor Competence Assessment
Background:
- The Medical Practitioners Act 1995 introduced new procedures for assessing doctor competence.
- Understanding the referral process and outcomes is crucial for regulatory bodies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze referrals for competence reviews of medical practitioners since the 1995 Act.
- To identify the characteristics and demographics of referred doctors and those found not to meet standards.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective file review conducted at the Medical Council of New Zealand.
- Analysis of 258 doctor referrals over a six-year period (to July 1, 2002).
Main Results:
- 258 doctors were referred; competence reviews were ordered for 114 and conducted for 92.
- 23 out of 92 doctors (25%) did not meet the required standard.
- Demographics and referral concerns were analyzed for all groups.
Conclusions:
- Less than 50% of competence concerns result in a review decision.
- Only 25% of reviewed doctors failed to meet standards, a small but significant group.
- The cost of identifying this small group of underperforming doctors is substantial.