Assessment of fitness for duty of underperforming physicians: The importance of using appropriate norms.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether population-specific normative data should be employed when screening neurocognitive functioning as part of physician fitness for duty evaluations. If so, to provide such norms based on the evidence currently available. METHODS: A comparison of published data from four sources was analyzed. Data from the two physician samples were then entered into a meta-analysis to obtain full information estimates and generate provisional norms for physicians. RESULTS: Two-way analysis of variance (Study x Index) revealed a significant main effect and an interaction. Results indicate differences in mean levels of performance and standard deviation for physicians. CONCLUSIONS: Reliance on general population normative data results in under-identification of potential neuropsychological difficulties. Population specific normative data are needed to effectively evaluate practicing physicians.

Predictors of physician performance on competence assessment: Findings from CPEP, the Center for Personalized Education for Physicians.

PURPOSE: To identify factors associated with physician performance in a comprehensive competence assessment. METHOD: The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of 683 physicians referred for assessment at the Center for Personalized Education for Physicians from 2000 to 2010, who were evaluated as either safe or unsafe to return to practice. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine factors predictive of unsafe assessment outcome. Covariates included personal characteristics (e.g., age), practice context (e.g., solo practice), and referral information (e.g., previous board license action). RESULTS: Older physicians were more likely to have unsafe assessment outcomes (odds ratio [OR] = 1.07; P < .001). Board-certified individuals were less likely to have poor assessment outcomes (OR = 0.40; P = .003) than uncertified individuals. Physicians in solo practice were more likely (OR = 2.15; P = .037) to be deemed unsafe than physicians in other settings. Physicians with a practice scope that matched their training were less likely (OR = 0.29; P = .023) to have unsafe assessment outcomes than those whose did not. Physicians with current or previous board action (suspension, revocation, limitation, or stipulation) were more likely to be deemed unsafe (OR = 2.47; P = .003) than those without. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that important predictors of physician performance on competence assessment include personal characteristics, practice context, and reasons for assessment referral. These findings have implications for development of policies and programs designed to assess risk of poor physician performance and quality of care improvement efforts through organizational/practice design or remedial education.

Physicians reentering clinical practice: characteristics and clinical abilities.

INTRODUCTION: Limited information exists to describe physicians who return to practice after absences from patient care. The Center for Personalized Education for Physicians (CPEP) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that provides clinical competency assessment and educational programs for physicians, including those reentering practice. This article studies the medical licensure status, performance, and correlates between physician characteristics and performance on initial assessment. METHODS: Sixty-two physicians who left practice voluntarily and without discipline or sanction and who were returning to practice in the same discipline as their previous practice participated in the CPEP reentry program. Physicians completed an objective clinical skills assessment including clinical interviews by specialty-matched board-certified physicians, simulated patient encounters, a documentation exercise, and a cognitive function screen. Physicians were rated from 1 (no or limited educational needs) to 4 (global, pervasive deficits). Performance scores were compared based on select physician characteristics. RESULTS: Twenty-five (40.3%) participants were female; participants' average age was 53.7 years (female 48.1 years; male 57.5 years). Physicians left practice for family issues (30.6%), health issues (27.4%), retirement or nonmedical career change (17.7%), and change to medical administration (14.5%). Females were more likely than males to have left practice for child rearing (P < 0.0001). Approximately one-quarter (24.2%) of participants achieved a performance rating of 1 (best-performing group); 35.5% achieved a rating of 2; 33% achieved a rating of 3; 6.5% achieved a rating of 4 (worst-performing group). Years out of practice and increasing physician age predicted poorer performance (P = 0.0403, P = 0.0440). A large proportion of physicians presenting without an active license achieved active licensure; how many of these physicians actually returned to practice is not known. DISCUSSION: Physicians who leave practice are a heterogeneous group. Most participants' performance warranted some formal education; few demonstrated global educational needs. The data from this study justify mandates that physicians demonstrate competence through an objective testing process prior to returning to practice. Emerging patterns regarding the performance of the reentering physician may help guide future policy.

Physicians reentering clinical practice: characteristics and clinical abilities.

INTRODUCTION: Limited information exists to describe physicians who return to practice after absences from patient care. The Center for Personalized Education for Physicians (CPEP) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that provides clinical competency assessment and educational programs for physicians, including those reentering practice. This article studies the medical licensure status, performance, and correlates between physician characteristics and performance on initial assessment. METHODS: Sixty-two physicians who left practice voluntarily and without discipline or sanction and who were returning to practice in the same discipline as their previous practice participated in the CPEP reentry program. Physicians completed an objective clinical skills assessment including clinical interviews by specialty-matched board-certified physicians, simulated patient encounters, a documentation exercise, and a cognitive function screen. Physicians were rated from 1 (no or limited educational needs) to 4 (global, pervasive deficits). Performance scores were compared based on select physician characteristics. RESULTS: Twenty-five (40.3%) participants were female; participants' average age was 53.7 years (female 48.1 years; male 57.5 years). Physicians left practice for family issues (30.6%), health issues (27.4%), retirement or nonmedical career change (17.7%), and change to medical administration (14.5%). Females were more likely than males to have left practice for child rearing (P < 0.0001). Approximately one-quarter (24.2%) of participants achieved a performance rating of 1 (best-performing group); 35.5% achieved a rating of 2; 33% achieved a rating of 3; 6.5% achieved a rating of 4 (worst-performing group). Years out of practice and increasing physician age predicted poorer performance (P = 0.0403, P = 0.0440). A large proportion of physicians presenting without an active license achieved active licensure; how many of these physicians actually returned to practice is not known. DISCUSSION: Physicians who leave practice are a heterogeneous group. Most participants' performance warranted some formal education; few demonstrated global educational needs. The data from this study justify mandates that physicians demonstrate competence through an objective testing process prior to returning to practice. Emerging patterns regarding the performance of the reentering physician may help guide future policy.