Just like in other professions, doctors may face accusations of professional misconduct, face criminal charges, become victims of substance abuse, and so on. Accusations of misconduct can have a tremendous effect on a doctor’s career. It can lead to long suspensions, they can lose their privilege to practice medicine, and they may even be faced with criminal charges depending on the type of misconduct.
Who Initiates A Disciplinary Matter Against a Doctor?
The Office of Professional Medical Conduct, also known as OPMC, is responsible for disciplining doctors in the State of New York. The OPMC’s primary goal is to protect the public by investigating conduct and issues involving physicians, physician’s assistants, and other types of specialists. The OPMC can investigate all allegations of misconduct, in or outside the workplace. The OPMC also monitors physicians who are subject to orders of the State Board of Professional Medical Conduct.
Doctors Can Be Disciplined for a Variety of Reasons
Some examples of misconduct include, but are not limited to:
- Fraud;
- Gross negligence;
- Gross incompetence;
- Practicing under the influence of alcohol;
- Practicing under the influence of drugs;
- Practicing while impaired by a physical or mental disability that can prohibit you from offering the highest standard of care;
- Guaranteeing treatment as a cure;
- Failing to provide services due to race, color, sex, national original, or creed;
- Performing services on a patient that were not authorized by the patient;
- Harassing a patient;
- Abusing a patient;
- Intimidating a patient;
- Abandoning a patient;
- Neglecting a patient; or
- Failure to provide immediate care to a patient.
If you are accused of any type of physician misconduct you should contact an experienced healthcare misconduct defense attorney.
Any time your credibility as a medical professional is threatened, it is essential that you retain the services of an experienced medical defense attorney who has the skill you need to defend your future and protect your reputation.
If you require a medical law attorney for your legal matters, call Paul E. Walker, an experienced New York City OPMC & OPD Lawyer. Please contact the Walker Medical Law firm to set up a free initial consultation.
