A new study emanating from Harvard Medical School found that as many as 17 percent of the doctors surveyed had direct, personal knowledge of an impaired or incompetent physician in their workplaces. Yet, one-third of those doctors had not reported the colleague to authorities such as hospital officials or state medical boards. Among the reasons cited by doctors are believing that someone else will take care of it, nothing will happen if they act, or that they could be targeted for retribution for reporting a colleague.
The fact is that programs exist for retraining doctors with weak skills or getting addicted ones into treatment. But the survey results suggest doctors are not confident in the system.
Read more about the study here.
If you or a loved one believe you have been the victim of medical malpractice, lawyers specializing in medical malpractice in our Portland and other Oregon offices would be happy to schedule a free consultation to discuss the circumstances of your case.
