Office of Continuing Professional Development in Medicine and Public Health

Wisconsin Physician Assessment Center

For more information, see our full brochure (PDF) or contact Cathy Means, Senior Outreach Specialist, at cjmeans@ocpd.wisc.edu or 608/263-6637.

Remedial Medical Ethics and Professionalism Course:
An Individualized Approach

Course Dates:
December 3-4, 2009

INTENDED AUDIENCE

The target audience is physicians in need of an individualized course designed to increase knowledge and skills in the domains of professionalism and ethical behaviors. Typical concerns might be related to a failure to obtain patient consent, failure to maintain continuing education requirements, professional boundary problems (e.g., treating family members), failure to maintain patient confidentiality, problems emerging from religious conflicts, inappropriate sexual behaviors with patients or other professionals, and many others. This course is not for physicians actively struggling with substance abuse or inadequately treated mental illness. Physicians may be self- referred, but are more typically referred by licensing boards, credentialing committees, malpractice insurance providers, professional societies, and other regulatory authorities.

STATEMENT OF NEED

Medical examining boards and other regulatory agencies regularly confront physicians competent with the technology of medicine but who struggle with occasional, yet significant lapses in professionalism. A traditional response has been to invoke punitive measures, such as license restrictions and suspensions. Punitive measures will always have an appropriate role, particularly for breaches of the law. However, when used alone, punitive measures have several significant drawbacks. Most importantly, they fail to meet the needs of physicians who are sincerely interested in self-improvement. These measures also can inadvertently punish the community by reducing the availability of medical services. Moreover, punitive measures typically do not include follow-up monitoring to help ensure that the lapses in professionalism are not recurring. The Medical Ethics and Professionalism Course was developed specifically to address the unmet needs that result from a narrowly punitive response to professionalism lapses among physicians. It offers a highly individualized and remediative response to these lapses through a multifaceted instructional course. The course also provides ongoing monitoring of the physician's professionalism for a minimum of two years.

Download the full course brochure (PDF)

Comprehensive and Individualized Physician Assessment

Historical Background and Description of the Program
The Wisconsin Medical Examining Board approached the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Office of Continuing Professional Development in Medicine and Public Health, with the request that we develop the means by which a physician's knowledge and abilities could be assessed in relation to his/her medical responsibilities. The Physician Assessment Services, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, attempts to provide educational resolution to problems which may arise between physicians and bodies who have the responsibility of maintaining surveillance over their activities.

The Physician Assessment Services is a program in which physician knowledge and skills are assessed in relation to their own practices. An assessment proposal is designed which includes the reason(s) for the assessment, the objectives of the assessment, and the tests to be utilized in the assessment. Each assessment is individualized, based upon a profile of the physician's practice. Upon completion of the assessment, the physician and referring regulatory agency (if required) is sent a copy of the final report.

The administrative leadership for the program is provided by physicians in active clinical and teaching practices from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. The assessors and instructors are drawn from the academic faculty and community physicians in Madison and surrounding areas.

The Physician Assessment Services is Designed For
State medical examining boards, hospital executive committees, clinic medical directors and others (including self referrals) who have a legitimate need for further information concerning a physician's clinical knowledge and abilities. The Physician Assessment Services attempts to provide information to resolve problems which arise between physicians and their surveillance bodies. Both parties are apprised of the physician's progress and achievements.

Comprehensive Assessment
The comprehensive clinical performance assessment is for physicians who have been referred to the Physician Assessment Services, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, by surveillance bodies such as state medical licensing boards, hospital executive committees, clinical medical directors, etc. because their ability to practice medicine has been called into question. The reasons are many and include an adverse outcome, surgical or procedural mishap, treatment or management error, or perceived cognitive and/or behavioral deficiency. Some physicians self-refer because they are trying to re-enter practice or are reapplying for licensure. Each physician referred will then undergo a high stakes individualized comprehensive competency assessment, based on the physician's practice profile, which will assess medical knowledge, clinical judgment, patient management skills, professionalism, and cognitive and executive functioning. Assessors are chosen according to the physician's practice and specialty, and report their findings to one of the Medical Co-Directors of the Physician Assessment Services. The assessment findings and recommendations are then made known to both the regulatory body (if required) and individual physician for resolution.

Individualized Assessment
Physicians may be referred to the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Physician Assessment Services, who may not require a comprehensive competency assessment. Such physicians may have a singular deficiency that is problematic but otherwise have no major issues in their ability to practice medicine. Based on their need and after an initial evaluation, the Physician Assessment Services can develop an individualized program to address a particular need or evaluate a particular competency. Educational course offerings may also be available if applicable to their needs.