Factors associated with high-severity disciplinary action by a state medical board: a Texas study of medical license revocation.
BACKGROUND
There has been an increase in research evaluating factors associated with disciplinary action of physicians by state medical boards. However, factors related to the severity of disciplinary action are lacking. By investigating these factors while controlling for the type of violation, the authors sought to determine whether physician characteristics influenced the process of disciplinary action by state medical boards.


METHODS
Physicians disciplined by the Texas Medical Board between January 1, 1989, and December 31, 1998, were included in this case-controlled study (N=1129). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to compute odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors associated with license revocation, the most severe disciplinary action, compared with all other forms of disciplinary action combined.


RESULTS
Anesthesiologists (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.05-5.74), general practitioners (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.01-3.19), and psychiatrists (OR, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.41-5.13), as well as those with multiple disciplinary actions (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.29-2.83) were most susceptible to license revocation. The more years a disciplined physician was in practice, the greater risk he or she had of license revocation (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.04-1.07).


CONCLUSIONS
Factors associated with a greater likelihood of license revocation for physicians are: primary medical specialty, number of years in practice, and a history of multiple disciplinary actions.
Cardarelli
Roberto
R
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth-Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Division of Education and Research, 855 Montgomery St, Fort Worth, TX 76107-2553, USA. rcardare@hsc.unt.edu
Licciardone
John C
JC
D000328:Adult; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004647:Employee Discipline / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008007:Licensure, Medical; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010021:Osteopathic Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D028743:Professional Misconduct; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013781:Texas