A consumer group says doctors on probation with the Medical Board of California should be required to tell their patients about discipline issues.
“Patients shouldn’t be kept in the dark when their doctor has been put on probation,” said Lisa McGiffert, director of the Safe Patient Project for Consumers Union. “The Medical Board of California needs to put patients’ interests first by requiring doctors on probation to inform those they treat.”
The proposal is opposed by an influential physicians’ organization and will be debated publicly by the Medical Board at its quarterly meeting Friday in downtown San Diego.
Consumers Union outlined its proposal in a nine-page petition. The petition notes approximately 500 doctors are currently on probation for gross negligence, substance abuse, inappropriate prescribing, sexual misconduct and other license violations.
The consumer group says doctors on probation are at risk for repeating their dangerous and sometimes illegal behavior while on probation, and that patients have a right to know about their doctor’s status so they can decide whether to continue treatment with that physician.
San Diego physician Scott Greer is one example of a physician’s failure to successfully complete the terms of their probation. According to Medical Board records, Greer “is an admitted alcoholic and has a long history of alcohol abuse and relapses after seeking treatment for his addiction.”
In 2012, the Medical Board accused Greer of using a powerful narcotic that was prescribed for his fiancé. The Board’s accusation also said Greer cheated while in an alcohol diversion program by freezing his urine when he was “clean” and substituting that urine when he provided samples for drug and alcohol screening.
The accusation also noted Greer’s alleged history of violent behavior, including one instance when he threatened to “split (a man’s) head open with an axe.” The Medical Board said Greer followed through on that threat by chasing the man and hitting him with the blunt end of a hatchet. Greer then allegedly smashed the man’s car with the hatchet, “leaving four-inch gashes in his vehicle.”
Last year, Greer reached a settlement with the Medical Board, which suspended his license for 30 days, and placed him on probation for seven years. One condition of Greer’s probation required him to “random, unannounced” drug and alcohol testing. On October 23, the Medical Board revealed that Greer had “failed to cooperate” in the testing program and issued a “cease practice order” that immediately prohibits him from seeing patients.
Dr. Greer and his attorney have not commented to NBC 7 about this story.
Detailed information about all licensed California physicians, including any formal accusations filed against them, and their license status is currently available for public inspection on the Medical Board’s website.
The media and interested members of the public can also subscribe to an email list that includes updated information about the Medical Board’s disciplinary actions.
Consumers Union claims it is “unreasonable (for the Medical Board) to rely on emails, postings on the MBC website and occasional media articles to inform patients when their physician has been disciplined.”
The group also cites research showing senior citizens -- who are the group most likely to seek healthcare -- are the group least likely to use online information sources.
The California Medical Association (CMA), which represents the professional interests of many California doctors, is closely watching how the medical board reacts to the Consumers Union proposal.
“CMA is concerned that a requirement like this would put a burden on the physician patient relationship and take time away from important patient appointments that are already limited,” the association said in an emailed statement to NBC 7. “Additionally – this information is already public and available online and can be accessed by anyone. This is a duplicative burden that will interfere with patient care.”
According to a news release from the Consumers Union, the Board intends to webcast the meeting. Click here for more details.
