• E-mail
• Print
• RSS

Multi-disciplinary membership and participation in peer review

Medical Staff Leader Connection, May 3, 2006

Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to Medical Staff Leader Connection!

Deciding whether to have non-physicians, such as nurses, participate in peer review is a culture issue-although it is wise to consult with your legal counsel to make sure that having non-physicians participate in peer review does not jeopardize any peer review legal protection.

The main question when making this decision is whether the presence of non-physicians would inhibit candid discussion. Although that is often cited as the reason for preventing non-physician participation, in many instances it has the opposite effect: When no one else is in the room, physicians sometimes excuse activities that other disciplines might question. Allowing non-physician participation is therefore a way to reduce professional bias. Another benefit of non-physician participation is linkage with other disciplines when system or process issues are identified. A third benefit is that it increases credibility and trust in the peer review process.

For multi-disciplinary participation to work well, the following criteria must be met:

1. Only physicians should be permitted to vote on matters of physician performance.
2. Participation is a privilege granted by the medical staff. It is based on trust that the participant will maintain confidentiality and the independence of the process from management.
3. The number of non-physicians should be limited-physician discussion may become inhibited if they sense that they are being observed.

If these criteria can be met, I encourage non-physician participation in peer review.

That's all for this week!

All the best,

Rick Sheff, MD
Chair
The Greeley Company
http://www.greeley.com/seminars/

Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to Medical Staff Leader Connection!

• E-mail to a Colleague
• Print
• RSS
• Archive