A Survey of Emergency Physicians Regarding Due Process, Financial Pressures, and the Ability to Advocate for Patients

• Published in: The Journal of emergency medicine Vol. 45; no. 1; pp. 111 - 116.e3
• Main Authors: McNamara, Robert M., MD, FAAEM, Beier, Kevin, MD, Blumstein, Howard, MD, Weiss, Larry D., MD, Wood, Joseph, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-07-2013
• Subjects: Coercion; Data Collection; due process; Emergency; emergency medicine; Emergency Medicine - statistics & numerical data; Emergency Service, Hospital - economics; Emergency Service, Hospital - organization & administration; Emergency Service, Hospital - standards; Employment - organization & administration; Hospital-Physician Relations; Humans; Organizational Policy; Patient Advocacy; practice; Quality of Health Care; termination; Unnecessary Procedures - economics; termination; practice; due process; emergency medicine
• ISSN: 0736-4679; 2352-5029
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2012.12.019

Abstract Background A 1998 survey of emergency physicians indicated that many were threatened with adverse actions when advocating regarding the quality of care or raising concerns about financial issues. Study Objectives To assess the current state of these issues. Methods An anonymous electronic survey of emergency physicians was conducted using the American Medical Association’s database. Results Of the 1035 emergency physicians who received the survey, 389 (37.6%) answered the questions. Over half had been in practice for 16 or more years and 86% were board certified. Of those who knew the answer to the question, 62% (197 of 317) reported that their employer could terminate them without full due process and 76% (216 of 284) reported that the hospital administration could order their removal from the clinical schedule. Nearly 20% reported a possible or real threat to their employment if they raised quality-of-care concerns. Financial pressures related to admission, discharge, and transfer of patients were also noted by a number of respondents. Physicians who worked for contract management companies reported a higher incidence of impaired practice rights. Conclusion Practicing emergency physicians continue to report substantial concerns regarding their ability to speak up about the quality of care and pressure regarding financial matters related to patient care.