Consumer group ranks SC last for doctor discipline

As we reported previously [1], the volume of disciplinary actions taken has fallen in the past few years, dropping 14.4 percent from 2005, according to the Federation of State Medical Boards. Now, consumer group Public Citizen has released a report putting its own spin on the Federation's numbers, focusing on "serious" actions against doctors. It contends that lower rates equal less protection for patients.

According to Public Citizen's analysis, the number of serious disciplinary actions against physicians has fallen 17 percent since 2004, resulting 553 fewer such actions. South Carolina had the lowest rate of serious actions per 1,000 physicians in the state. Other states it identifies as poor performers on this scale include Maryland, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Meanwhile, it notes that 10 states have boosted their rates of serious actions, including Arkansas, Delaware, Vermont and Rhode Island.

To learn more about the rankings:
- read this Public Citizen press release [2]
- check out the report [3]

Related Articles:
State med board disciplinary action numbers fall again [1]
Study: Medical board discipline varies widely [4]
Audit reveals problems at IL disciplinary board [5]
NC law makes medical board info public [6]
Virginia's medical board tightens discipline process [7]