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Ask the expert: Should physicians get paid to do routine proctoring? If so, does the hospital, the individual being proctored, or the medical staff organization foot the bill?

Medical Staff Leader Connection, January 14, 2009

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Historically, proctoring has been an obligation of medical staff membership and was usually done voluntarily. However, when The Joint Commission introduced focused professional practice evaluation (FPPE), it greatly increased the demand for proctors. Because many physicians have needed to increase their patient volumes to stay afloat financially, they are less involved in medical staff matters. Therefore, it has become more difficult to find physicians willing to serve as volunteer proctors. More organizations are starting to look at paying proctors in order to meet their FPPE obligations.

Payment can either come from the medical staff, the individual being proctored, or the hospital. Usually, the hospital foots the bill, but if the medical staff has the means, it will pay in rare cases. Many times, the medical staff and the hospital split the cost. If a physician is requesting a privilege that does not strategically benefit the hospital or the medical staff, the individual practitioner may be asked to cover the cost of any proctoring associated with granting this privilege.

Mark A. Smith, MD, MBA, CMSL
Director of credentialing and privileging services
The Greeley Company

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