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News and briefs: Auditors give 46 recommendations to Maryland Board of Physicians

Credentialing Resource Center Connection, December 2, 2011

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A backlog of complaints, a lack of transparency, and incomplete records are just a few of the issues that the Maryland Board of Physicians needs to resolve, according to a recently released legislative audit. The Baltimore Sun reports that during fiscal year 2011, the board handled 1,730 complaints, which included more than 700 continued from the previous year. It took formal action on 164 complaints, and left more than 800 pending at the close of FY11. A recent national ranking by the advocacy group Public Citizen puts Maryland 38th among states for disciplining doctors. According to Public Citizen, the national average is three disciplinary actions per 1,000 doctors; in Maryland, it is 2.55 per 1,000.  

"The board faces significant challenges moving forward," the auditors stated in the review.

Joshua M. Sharfstein, MD, secretary of Maryland’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, under which the Board of Physician falls, recommended bringing in an outside consultant to help the board implement the changes.

Paul Elder, MD, chairman of the medical board, said the board was being overly criticized, and in fact, has taken several actions in recent years. However, he agreed that hiring an outside consultant would get the board back on track, stating it could be done in one year. The auditors also suggested lawmakers withhold a portion of the board’s FY12 budget, which is $8.6 million, until changes are made. No formal action has been taken yet.
 

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