The credentials committee is perhaps one of the hardest working committees. Most physicians who agree to participate in a credentials committee do so without truly understanding the importance of the role and its responsibilities, and usually without having much training or experience.
Requests for leaves of absence have become more common in recent years, and it is important for medical staffs to have clear policies regarding their use. A member of the medical staff may request a leave of absence for personal reasons (e.g., the birth of a child, illness of a family member,...
The bedrock of the medical staff due process manual is a federal statute named the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986 (HCQIA). As with many laws and statutes, a specific case triggered HCQIA. The story is worth repeating as it highlights what constitutes good-faith and bad-faith peer...
Credentialing Resource Center Journal - Volume 29, Issue 5
One of the most challenging problems faced by physician leaders is addressing the unprofessional behavior of a colleague. Why is it that the most skilled, the highest producer, the best and brightest, the only physician in that specialty, has behavioral issues? The answer is simple—because it is...
When physicians are given feedback data regarding outcomes, a common response is “My outcomes are worse because my patients are sicker.” This concern is legitimate and should be addressed by...