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[What happens behind closed doors when physicians become problems? Informal mechanism revealed in a case study]
1Program in Health Policy Studies, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor 48106-0716.
Nordisk Medicin
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Identifying and addressing underperforming doctors is challenging. Colleagues often delay informal interventions, making problems harder to resolve when administrators get involved.
Area of Science:
- Medical Professionalism
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Doctors are diverse, making it hard to distinguish incompetence from unavoidable errors under pressure.
- The medical profession has limited informal methods for managing underperforming physicians.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate common informal approaches used by medical professionals when dealing with a 'problem doctor'.
- To understand the timing and effectiveness of these informal interventions.
Main Methods:
- An interview study was conducted in Britain and Sweden.
- Qualitative data was gathered from medical professionals regarding their experiences with problem doctors.
Main Results:
- Colleagues frequently hesitate to use informal methods to address underperforming doctors.
- Delayed interventions by colleagues result in more complex issues when department heads or administrators become involved.
Conclusions:
- Early, informal intervention by peers is crucial for effectively managing underperforming doctors.
- Systemic support and clearer protocols may be needed to encourage timely and effective peer interventions.