The Likelihood That Remedial Continuing Medical Education (CME) Reduces Disciplinary Recidivism Among Physicians

State medical boards are charged through their medical practice acts to regulate physician practice and, when necessary, discipline physicians for incompetent or inappropriate behavior. Boards often authorize remedial continuing medical education (CME) as part of a disciplinary action; however, it is unclear how effective remedial CME is in reducing the likelihood of physicians receiving additional discipline. This study examined the relationship between physicians who were required to complete remedial CME as part of their first discipline by state medical boards and the likelihood of additional discipline.

The national-level sample included 4,061 MD-physicians whose first discipline included license restrictions, probation, or other conditions imposed by state medical boards between 2011 and 2015. A multivariate logistic regression model examined whether physicians required to complete remedial CME as part of their first discipline were less likely to receive additional discipline by boards within 5 years.

Of the 4,061 physicians, 36% (n = 1,449) were required to complete remedial CME as part of their first discipline, and 35% (n = 1,426) received additional discipline within 5 years. After accounting for other factors, physicians who were required to complete remedial CME as part of their first discipline by boards were less likely to receive additional discipline (odds ratio, 0.597; 95% confidence interval, 0.513-0.696; P < .001) within 5 years compared to physicians who were not required to complete remedial CME.

Findings support remedial CME as a means to help reduce physician disciplinary recidivism in certain circumstances. Physicians required to complete remedial CME as part of their first discipline were less likely to receive additional discipline by state medical boards within 5 years.