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The importance of applicant interviews

Credentialing Resource Center Connection, September 8, 2004

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Dear credentialing colleague:

During the 1980s, many medical staffs adopted a policy requiring every medical staff applicant to undergo a clinical interview. In many cases, such interviews were fairly perfunctory. For instance, questions were relatively mundane and such interviews lasted less than five minutes.

However, it is clear today that a medical staff should have authority to interview all applicants. Such interviews should be rigorous, directed, and focused on patient care issues. A policy concerning the guidelines for conducting a practitioner or clinical interview in conjunction with the credentialing process is a natural fit with today's credentialing polices and procedures.

What should the medical staff include in such a policy? Your policy should provide guidelines for use by the credentials committee, department chairs, and others regarding the selection of candidates for such interviews, the types of questions an interviewer might ask, and the possible ramifications of the interviews.

The interviewer may ask for information to complete the credentials file or clarify previously provide information. For instance, the interviewer may want to question the applicant about his or her interest in staff appointment, past malpractice history, and reasons for leaving past healthcare organizations. Clinical questions are also appropriate and should be asked directly of the applicant. The interviewer may also ask about any other matters bearing on the applicant's ability to render high-quality care and assist the institution with its mission.

The permanent record of the interview should include the general nature of questions asked, the adequacy of answers, and the committee's or interviewer's conclusion regarding the applicant's qualifications for membership and/or requested privileges.

That's it for today.

All the best,
Hugh Greeley
www.greeley.com/seminars/

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