If someone accuses a Pennsylvania doctor of misconduct, he or she may immediately suffer a serious job security risk. Not every accusation of wrongdoing is accurate or true, however. It is unfortunate that false accusations can have long-term, far-reaching negative effects on a physician’s career. Physician license defense is a key factor to overcoming legal problems that arise in the medical workplace, which threaten suspension or revocation of a license to practice medicine.
There are several ways physicians can lessen the likelihood of allegations of misconduct on the job. First, if a doctor must examine a private area of a patient’s body, he or she can insist that a third party be present to serve as a chaperone/witness. In some cases, a doctor may be justified in requesting more than one chaperone, such as if the patient in question has expressed that he or she is uncomfortable or nervous about being examined.
To avoid accusations regarding examination of the breasts or surrounding regions, a doctor can use the patient’s own hands to serve as a barrier. The patient’s hands can be placed between his or her body and the physician’s hands. It is also always a good idea for a physician to stay gloved until the full examination and all subsequent discussion is complete.
Pennsylvania doctors can seek physician license defense by requesting consultation with an attorney who is experienced in medical licensing regulations and hearings. Many problem situations can be quickly resolved without serious or permanent repercussions or detriment to a doctor’s career. In any case, an experienced attorney can help a doctor who stands accused of unprofessional conduct to try to mitigate his or her circumstances and secure as positive an outcome as possible.