Physician understanding of the National Practitioner Data Bank.
National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) reports are part of the process for acquiring staff privileges, professional credentials, and licenses throughout a physician's entire career. We surveyed our hospital's 66 residents to assess their understanding of NPDB. Only 9 residents had heard about NPDB. A follow-up survey of the 10 medical schools in Pennsylvania and Maryland showed just 4 schools covered NPDB in their curricula. Finally, we did a third survey--of 1,410 Pennsylvania Medical Society members. Eighty-one percent did not know that denial of initial license application was not a reportable offense; 69% did not know that voluntary entrance into alcohol/drug rehabilitation was not reportable; and 75% did not know that denial of expanded privileges because of level of clinical competence was reportable. Only 13% knew how to obtain their files. Our surveys suggest physicians have a poor understanding of NPDB even though these reports could have career-jeopardizing implications, especially if the Clinton administration expands access to NPDB.
Department of Surgery, Temple University/Conemaugh Memorial Hospital, Johnstown, PA 15905.
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Kolff
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D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003406:Credentialing; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008007:Licensure, Medical; D008297:Male; D008318:Malpractice; D008396:Maryland; D008504:Medical Staff Privileges; D008875:Middle Aged; D016749:National Practitioner Data Bank; D010414:Pennsylvania; D010815:Physician Impairment; D010820:Physicians; D012577:Schools, Medical; D012955:Societies, Medical; D014481:United States