Results of Survey of Arizona Physicians Concerning Arizona Medical Board

8/7/2019 Results of Survey of Arizona Physicians Concerning Arizona Medical Board

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AZ medical board survey

1. Circle the term that best applies

SA A N D SD NKResponse

Count

1 The AMB does a good job of

protecting the public.8.3% (29)

25.6%

(89)

30.2%

(105)

19.8%

(69)8.9% (31) 7.2% (25) 348

2 The AMB should simply be

reauthorized, without change.4.9% (17) 8.3% (29)

16.9%

(59)

26.9%

(94)

35.7%

(125)7.4% (26) 350

3 If the AMB investigates me, I am

confident the investigation will be

fair.

4.9% (17)15.2%

(53)

17.8%

(62)

27.2%

(95)

29.8%

(104)5.2% (18) 349

4 If doctors have a problem with

the AMB, they can rely on

organized medicine to help through

its relationship with AMB officials.

2.3% (8) 5.1% (18)14.0%

(49)

29.1%

(102)

39.3%

(138)

10.3%

(36)351

5 The policies of the AMB help to

create a climate that is likely to

attract excellent physicians to

Arizona.

2.6% (9) 7.4% (26)28.0%

(98)

25.1%

(88)

26.9%

(94)

10.0%

(35)350

6 AMB policies are friendly toinnovation.

1.7% (6) 4.3% (15) 22.0%(77)

28.3%

(99)

25.4%(89)

18.3%(64)

350

7 Patient care in Arizona has been

improved by AMB's sanction on

physicians who treat chronic pain.

2.6% (9) 8.9% (31)21.3%

(74)

19.5%

(68)

23.0%

(80)

24.7%

(86)348

8 The AMB should require electronic

medical records as a condition of

licensure.

2.6% (9) 4.3% (15)10.3%

(36)

23.2%

(81)

56.7%

(198)2.9% (10) 349

9 The AMB should require

maintenance of certification by an

AMA-approved specialty board as a

condition of licensure.

11.5%

(40)

16.6%

(58)

14.0%

(49)

19.5%

(68)

37.0%

(129)1.4% (5) 349

answered question 352

skipped question 3


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3. My impression is that the AMB is:

Response

Percent

Response

Count

lax 1.8% 6

lenient 3.6% 12

consistent 9.5% 32

reasonable 20.2% 68

well-informed 4.7% 16

open 4.5% 15

out of touch 27.3% 92

tough 20.2% 68

harsh 33.5% 113

arbitrary 41.2% 139

biased 32.0% 108

politicized 36.2% 122

secretive 29.1% 98

rigid 22.8% 77

Other (please specify)

8.6% 29


skipped question 18



4. My impression is that the AMB treats physicians with

Response

Percent

Response

Count

respect 14.4% 49

professionalism 21.4% 73

suspicion 60.4% 206

condescension 37.0% 126

it depends

13.5% 46


skipped question 14

5. Other comments:

Response

Count

49


skipped question 306

2. My opinion of the AMB is based on

1 Discussion with former AMB member Feb 2, 2011 11:32 AM

2 AMB web site Feb 2, 2011 11:42 AM

3 involved in medical peer reviews Feb 2, 2011 12:35 PM

4 overall Feb 2, 2011 2:27 PM

5 expert review of cases Feb 2, 2011 3:34 PM

6 discussion with many colleagues and attorneys Feb 2, 2011 3:55 PM

7 via M.I.C.A. Feb 4, 2011 11:09 AM



2. My opinion of the AMB is based on

8 none Feb 4, 2011 12:07 PM

9 Very little info in media. Most colleagues do not share experience. Feb 4, 2011 12:13 PM

10 experience of attorneys Feb 4, 2011 12:28 PM

11 consultant for AMB specialty Feb 4, 2011 12:29 PM

12 review of outcomes for other physicians Feb 4, 2011 12:34 PM

13 harrassment Feb 4, 2011 12:49 PM

14 I work doing Board cases in AZ Feb 4, 2011 12:51 PM

15 my husband's experience Feb 4, 2011 12:55 PM

16 I treat many physicians who have come to the attention fo the Medical Board. Feb 4, 2011 12:59 PM

17 website Feb 4, 2011 1:19 PM

18 reading minutes of board meeting Feb 4, 2011 1:24 PM

19 MICA defense attorneys (several) opinions Feb 7, 2011 4:26 PM

20 Internet Feb 7, 2011 4:30 PM

21 Personal opinion Feb 11, 2011 2:18 PM

22 Takes too long! It took too long (over 6 months) back in 97. I hope it's fasternow.

Feb 16, 2011 10:50 AM


1 Criminal Feb 2, 2011 11:46 AM

2 no opinion Feb 2, 2011 12:59 PM

3 not that familiar Feb 2, 2011 1:01 PM

4 inconsistent, unpredictable Feb 2, 2011 1:52 PM

5 inconsistent Feb 2, 2011 2:04 PM

6 slow Feb 2, 2011 2:54 PM

7 OK Feb 2, 2011 3:41 PM

8 antiphysician with an attitute of "guilty until proven innocent" Feb 2, 2011 4:42 PM

9 Sometimes dangerous. I don't feel protected. I feel I am at risk of unjustaccusation but have been lucky so far to have not been.

Feb 4, 2011 10:46 AM




10 Assumes guilt until proven innocence, not innocence until proven guilt. Does notfollow legal standards.

Feb 4, 2011 11:19 AM

11 unknown Feb 4, 2011 12:08 PM

12 Can't tell, has to abide by privacy rules. Feb 4, 2011 12:13 PM

13 unknown Feb 4, 2011 12:13 PM

14 dysfunctional Feb 4, 2011 12:28 PM

15 unfair Feb 4, 2011 12:49 PM

16 Too many physicians that should be sanctioned are not and some that areshould not be.

Feb 4, 2011 12:51 PM

17 unprofessional Feb 4, 2011 12:55 PM

18 presumption of guilt, rather than innocence Feb 4, 2011 12:58 PM

19 punitive; inappropriate and unwilling to correct its own mistakes Feb 4, 2011 1:03 PM

20 acrimonious Feb 4, 2011 1:03 PM

21 just another bureaucracy that one has to survive Feb 4, 2011 1:09 PM

22 nonprogresive Feb 4, 2011 1:44 PM

23 Difficult to judge given limited details disclosed of investigations or defendantphysican's defense/explanation and potential for politicized influences (sinceAMB members serve at the pleasure of the governor.

Feb 4, 2011 1:53 PM

24 Imbalanced; too regulated; too lawyered Feb 7, 2011 4:43 PM

25 Overwhelmed; risk-averse; bureaucraticizied Feb 16, 2011 11:27 AM

26 varied Feb 18, 2011 10:19 AM

27 Unsure yet Feb 23, 2011 12:45 PM

28 no experience Mar 14, 2011 11:25 AM

29 unfair Mar 21, 2011 4:44 PM


1 on who you know Feb 2, 2011 11:46 AM

2 "guilty untl proven innocent" Feb 2, 2011 12:31 PM


4 abhorrent lack of concern over their actions Feb 2, 2011 1:48 PM




5 condescension towards rural physicians in Arizona Feb 2, 2011 1:50 PM

6 The nature of the complaint, the frequency of complaints against that physicianand the source of the complaint are all factors

Feb 2, 2011 2:04 PM

7 guilty until proven innocent Feb 2, 2011 2:28 PM

8 suspect publicity does (but shouldn't) plays a large role Feb 2, 2011 2:35 PM

9 if the physician knows someone on the board Feb 2, 2011 2:50 PM

10 depends on the politics of the day Feb 2, 2011 3:36 PM

11 varies on circumstances Feb 2, 2011 3:39 PM

12 Does not communicate well with physicians who are being investigated. (I wasincorrectly named in an investigation (never took care of patient) and have notheard back after submitting information >1 month ago).

Feb 2, 2011 3:51 PM

13 very arbitrary Feb 2, 2011 3:55 PM

14 Favours board certified physicians/surgeons even when thry have donesomething wrong.

Feb 2, 2011 4:01 PM

15 I've seen good and bad with colleagues and others. Feb 2, 2011 4:21 PM

16 My experience and my colleaugues' experiences have been mixed. Thecomplaints filed by patients are often ridiculous. A screening process by AMBwould be helpful.

Feb 2, 2011 4:24 PM

17 Patients can make unsubstantiated claims and some patients are just plaincrazy.

Feb 4, 2011 10:46 AM

18 considered guilty immediately Feb 4, 2011 10:54 AM

19 Respect when renewing lisence. Difficulty when doing investigation. Feb 4, 2011 11:03 AM

20 Seems they have an agenda and push it rather than fairness. Feb 4, 2011 11:06 AM

21 Depends on how much of a pain in the butt the patient is. Depends on if thepatient is in a politically favored group or a politically favored ethnicity.

Feb 4, 2011 11:09 AM

22 Disrespect Feb 4, 2011 11:11 AM

23 guilty until proven innocent Feb 4, 2011 11:17 AM

24 Have read some accounts in newspapers. Feb 4, 2011 11:18 AM

25 no comment Feb 4, 2011 12:00 PM

26 Non-professional investigators seem to have a chip on their shoulders. Feb 4, 2011 12:03 PM






29 unknown Feb 4, 2011 12:08 PM

30 unknown Feb 4, 2011 12:13 PM

31 unknown Feb 4, 2011 12:13 PM

32 They are on a witch hunt. Feb 4, 2011 12:28 PM

33 Politics seems to affect their aggressiveness in pursuing physicians. Feb 4, 2011 12:35 PM

34 The cases that I have reviewed have shown appropriate concern for physicianpractice standards.

Feb 4, 2011 12:51 PM

35 like trash Feb 4, 2011 12:55 PM

36 Maybe this is defined by statute. Feb 4, 2011 12:58 PM

37 on reviewers for written assessments Feb 4, 2011 1:01 PM

38 like an item on an assembly line. Feb 4, 2011 1:09 PM

39 MDs are treated as if guilty until proven innocent. Feb 4, 2011 1:15 PM


41 as subjects Feb 4, 2011 1:44 PM

42 Nature of accusation, current sociopolitical/media agenda(s), possible prejudiceof AMB panel member(s) (racial/ethnic/gender/foreign medicalschool/religion/faith, etc.)

Feb 4, 2011 1:53 PM


44 The letter sent was rather frightening but the opportunity to present my respons

in person and then the decision of the board was as I expected.

Feb 16, 2011 10:50 AM

45 Really doesn't have transparency or always reliable reviewers Feb 18, 2011 10:19 AM

46 no experience Mar 14, 2011 11:25 AM

5. Other comments:

Response Text

1 Some members reasonable, others are not at all. They are not well-informed insub specialtiy matters in which they carry rule of law. Several members areclearly anti-physician.

Feb 2, 2011 11:23 AM

2 The board "protects" the public from physicians-No one "protects" physiciansfrom the public!!

Feb 2, 2011 11:28 AM

3 Uses unqualified consultants Feb 2, 2011 11:42 AM



5. Other comments:

Response Text

4 Should not list complaints against doctors until proven true by a hearing. Justbecause a patient complains should not be on internet unless complaint verifiedand justified.

Feb 2, 2011 12:57 PM

5 unknown but suspect proffesional Feb 2, 2011 1:01 PM

6 Strict rules of evidence, not implication or innuendo or hurt feelings of patients,must guide rulings. Clear guidelines of proffesional behavior must be public.Patient surveys must seek objective information never hearsay or feelings.

Feb 2, 2011 2:12 PM

7 They are working in favor of the public not physicians Feb 2, 2011 2:22 PM

8 Anyone can make a complaint regardless of legitimacy that cost the M.D.hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars to defend regardless of whetherthere is a basis. In regards to narcotics especially changes protecting the doctorwould help.

Feb 2, 2011 2:33 PM

9 AMB members are political apointees who will screw as many doctors as

possible so that they can justify their existence and look good in the public eye.

Feb 2, 2011 2:37 PM

10 Physician is presumed guilty with each complaint. Lacks balance. Laypersonson board lack appropriate knowledge base.

Feb 2, 2011 2:49 PM

11 AMB should be run by a physician or at a minimum the head should be approvedby organized medicine in Arizona.

Feb 2, 2011 2:53 PM

12 The AMB is broken, plain and simple. I have no respect for them as a body ofmy "peers."

Feb 2, 2011 3:07 PM

13 The AMB wastes time on petty, frivolous complaints. Feb 2, 2011 3:15 PM

14 I feel that CME requirements should be increased to at least 40 credits/yr. 20 isnot enough and many of us are doing more anyway.

Feb 2, 2011 3:33 PM

15 Strongly disagree with AMA certification as a condition of licensure. Stronglydisagree with a requirement for electronic medical records.

Feb 2, 2011 4:30 PM

16 There is no appeal process for an advisory letter. Feb 2, 2011 4:38 PM

17 It's too easy for patients to submit frivolous complaints without fear ofaccountability.

Feb 2, 2011 4:45 PM

18 The AMB abuses process to get the results its non-medical staffers want. Thesystem is totally unfair and unjust. I would certainly not have chosen to practicein Arizona if I knew how this board operates. Needs reform badly.

Feb 4, 2011 10:50 AM

19 "Experts" are incompetent, make ludicrous recommendations and fabricate data. Feb 4, 2011 10:54 AM

20 I was investigated and the Board consultant was extremely fair and thorough andaccurate.

Feb 4, 2011 10:56 AM

21 A physician is guilty until proven innocent under current AMB policy. Anyonecan register a complaint of any nature with AMB and the physician is thenconsidered guilty.

Feb 4, 2011 11:24 AM



5. Other comments:

Response Text

22 It takes forever for a complaint to be resolved. In the interim you are treated asguilty until proven otherwise. There is no protection of physicians from patientswho enjoy causing trouble/problems.

Feb 4, 2011 11:30 AM

23 Let's have the same standards for the legal community. The Bar Assoc. reallyprotects its members to the point of stopping most complaints before they getstarted.

Feb 4, 2011 12:00 PM

24 Get good professional nonbiased investigators. Feb 4, 2011 12:03 PM

25 Policies and procedures regarding impaired physicana is illogical, inconsistentand punitive.

Feb 4, 2011 12:06 PM

26 Physicians are treated harshly in the letters sent out. You get the impressionyou are "Guilty until proven innocent." Heavy-handed. Should be appealable ina court of law. Definitely

Feb 4, 2011 12:10 PM

27 Close the medical board. The board does not benefit physicains and is an extra

layer of police on physicians.

Feb 4, 2011 12:18 PM

28 A patient has filed a complaint to AMB against me. Over the next 14 months,she returned to AMB and kept changing her story. She interviewed with AMBstaff on 3 different occasions over 14 monthsa dn told them a different storyeach time. At her final interview, she alleged that we had a sexuallyinappropriate relationship. She attended that interview with her attorney andsubsequently filed a malpractice suit against me. Even though the board's ownevaluation wrote off that she was an unreliable historian, the board ordered that Iundergo a psychiatric evaluation (at my expense.) This was excessive andcompletely unnecessary. Further, even though the patient changed her story ateach interview, her statements were not admissable in the malpractice suit dueto the board's policy of keeping complaints confidential. This is a major flaw in

our state legal system. The board membership is very unbalanced--primary careis only represented by one member and most board members are surgical sub-specialists who think they know everything there is to know. When I wasinterviewed ( 3 times) to deal with this complaint, they refused to even tell mewhat I was being accused of, or what the patient was alleging. The AMB needsa complete overhaul.

Feb 4, 2011 12:28 PM

29 The Board allows unqualified reviewers to review specialty cases, for example--thoracic surgeon review vascular case

Feb 4, 2011 12:31 PM

30 Reviewers for AMB should be physicians who have practiced in the valley forseveral years and have practiced full time in this area. Part time physicians maynot be informed regarding current trends and treatment protocols.

Feb 4, 2011 12:34 PM

31 The complaining patient is typically given credibility that their allegation is correct(without reservation); the defending physician is considered strongly suspectunless he can exonerate himself--prove without any doubt that the complainantis in the wrong!!

Feb 4, 2011 12:40 PM

32 They are bad. Feb 4, 2011 12:42 PM



5. Other comments:

Response Text

33 Guilty until proven innocent. I have had 3 similar incidents. My experieces werethat someone left an anonymous, misspelled, poor grammar, vague complaintthat I prescribed too much pain meds for their father ON A WEBSITE. I wasevaluated by a sub. abuse MD (tested for sub abuse herself), sent to Betty Fordfor further evaluation, underwent scrutiny of all my personal medical records,submitted 5 medical records of my patients (which were evaluated) and after 11/2 years was cleared. It cost me time, I paid everything, and humiliation. Guiltyuntil proven innocent.

Feb 4, 2011 12:49 PM

34 AMB is unprofessional, racial, mean-spirited. They are group of gang memberswho are there for their personal purpose/gain. They should be punished.

Feb 4, 2011 12:55 PM

35 They don't punish the really bad actors--like the Carlotti's Feb 4, 2011 1:05 PM

36 When any uneducated patient, that is unhappy for any reason can lodge anemail complaint that takes hours of my time to answer, then something is wrongwith the system. While I am not in favor of a free-for-all legal system, at leastwith lawsuits, plaintiff attorney will refuse to take a case if it has no merit. This is

not the case with the AZ Medical Board complaint system.

Feb 4, 2011 1:07 PM

37 They accepted false witness/testimony from a physician who used her ownopinion to render her impression in my case. Had I had more time I would haveturned her in to my medical specialty board for a reprimand. I have heard thatthey can be even uglier to physicians if you appear before the board and attemptto refute their nasties that they post for all the public to see and there is no wayfor truly defend oneself. The director increased fees for the physicians (dueevery two years) and actually commented in the reasoning that these increasedfees can be recuped by physicians by increasing fees for patient care!!! How outof touch. I almost responded to this, but who would be willing to attach theirname to a complaint against board policies? It is so revolting to pay for our owntorture!!!

Feb 4, 2011 1:14 PM

38 A provider is presumed guilty and must prove innocence. There is inconsistencyin censure/punishment. There is no assistance in providing legal recourse. Notall physicians are treated the same. Problem with addiction/bad behavior dealtwith more leniently--ie Dr. Schwartz (until too late)

Feb 4, 2011 1:18 PM

39 We definitely need an entity which concerns itself with physicians' competenceand performance. Such a complex profession necessitates peer review butsome non-MD community members would bring a valuable perspective also.

Feb 4, 2011 1:24 PM

40 I have had only one experience with the Board. During residency one of themembers I had a conflict with about a patient who was septic. He said thepatient was not septic and cancelled my orders to admit the patient to ICU. Thepatient died 8 hours later--septic shock! I felt he should have removed himself

from the board or review of my case. I felt I was harshly judged because of hispersonal anger towards me.

Feb 4, 2011 1:28 PM



5. Other comments:

Response Text

41 My 30-year medical career has been constanly overshadowed by fear that theBoard will come down on me from a complain process that is one-directional,coming from a public that is encouraged and enticed to be litiginous, entitled andenabled by interest groups, politicians and the unethical, profiteering legalprofession. As for pain management, I am the only few of the physicians in ourarea who dares provide for a few such service with constant urging by my cliniccolleagues to drop those patients: too much time, too much liability, too muchdocumentation, pressure, and even then it may not be enough! The biggestproblem I see with the AMB is that evey inquiry, and even the yearly renewal oflicense is immediately associated with threats of fines, loss of license, criminalcharges if not immediately complied. I cannot understand how any physiciancan honestly offer their services to serve on the board in any capacity to be

judge and jury over their colleagues when they themselves are a potential victimto the Board process as long as they are practicing. There needs to be agrievance process for the public, of course, but that complaint first should gothrough review process, i.e. is the complaint valid, self-serving, vindictive,frivolous with hope for financial gain, distorted from the truth. That review shouldbe done by physicians in the same specialty, preferably the same geographical

and demographical area, totally clinical and no lawyers allowed. This would bestrictly for clinical complaints. Other, obvious societally injurious behavior,misconduct, unethical behavior only should be in the perview of the Board. Thereason for the distinction that in the clinical world, practice applications are often"out of box.," often years ahead of practice guidelines, today's negative Boarddecision is tomorrow's evidence-based practice. Take the 40 year back-and-forth on baby aspirin; pain management: yesterday's pain managementguideling today is considered poor practice and chargeable as not meetingtoday's patient's right to pain relief even to the point of criminalization ofundertreatment accusations. BUT, my question is--- all this time I felt as aphysician, alone, as all my other colleagues, working under the Board shadow,vulnerable, hapless, hopeless and hoping never to go through Board processesthat I hear and read about. And now toward the final years of my career, I hear

about an organization, since 1943!!! that fights on our behalf. How come I didn'tknow. Sign me up!

Feb 4, 2011 1:44 PM

42 Strong tending for bias. Leader tends to sway panel. Fairness of hearing is attimes questionable. Expert witness at times not an expert in his field. Shoudhave a manual for standard operating procedures. Requirements for witness-certification, experience, etc. Observations are personal having testified onbehalf of another physician.

Feb 4, 2011 1:47 PM

43 Probation of 3 years is mandatory to be on record for life. This would be fine ifnot "probation"--scarred for life, lost jobs, costs thousands more to license.Did everything they wanted, plus some, should be role model, not "prisoner" ofwords.

Feb 4, 2011 1:57 PM

44 (1) Inconsistent quality of reviewers who are loath to change their minds even ifother consultants disagree.(2) Boards seems to believe all medical records received are inadequate.

Feb 7, 2011 4:26 PM

45 Board members should only be active practitioners not retired nor partiallyretired.

Feb 7, 2011 4:29 PM


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5. Other comments:

Response Text

46 Too many lag people; Not enough "executive" oversight"; Unable to useprofessional judgement; Too constrained in having to waste time on frivolous;Not harsh enough on obvious bad action and too tough on questionable ones;too constrained by public and lacking understanding of real medicine;understaffed

Feb 7, 2011 4:43 PM

47 What physician in practice would do the AMB's job? A condition of licensureshould be like jury duty. Important complaints should be reviewed by 3 paidphysicians(one hundred dollar/hr for max $300) of same specialty from adifferent community (IE Phoenix for Tucson complaints, Tucson for Phoenixcomplaints). Vote Yes, no, or undecided with one paragraph why, AMB decides.

Feb 9, 2011 11:27 AM

48 I am not aware of sanctions in overprescribing narcotics. I really like the stateboard pf pharmacy's controlled substance prescription monitoring hotline.Needs to be closer to real time. Have had scripts from my urgent care not put infor over 2 weeks.The only other contact I have had has been paying my annual license. Thisprocess is good, efficient. Thank you!

Feb 16, 2011 10:50 AM

49 I feel the board does a good job, but the lengthy and cumbersome process forphysicians, even if a complaint is clearly bogus is a true burden on a physician,who seems to be viewed "guilty until proven innocent." Also, the threat ofsanctions if a physician discusses with anyone serve to isolate the physicianfurther. This must be changed.

Mar 14, 2011 11:25 AM

Documents

Results of Survey of Arizona Physicians Concerning Arizona Medical Board