‘Sham Peer Review’: How The Peer Review Process Can Be Used Against Physicians, with Dr. L.R. Huntoon

In this episode, Dr. Nisha Mehta is joined by Dr. L. R. Huntoon, neurologist, past president of the American Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, and one of the nation’s leading experts on the topic of ‘sham peer review.’ While we believe the vast majority of peer review proceedings are done with patient safety and quality of care in mind, this episode is intended to inform physicians of what they should be aware of if they suspect the process is being used unfairly against them. They discuss: What ‘sham peer review’ is, and how the Healthcare Quality Improvement Act (HCQIA) of 1986 created legal protections for hospitals that have enabled the peer review process to be (occasionally) misused against physicians in a retaliatory manner Why whistleblowers, independent physicians that create competition for hospitals, and those who challenge hospital leadership may be vulnerable and should keep their guard up if they suspect that they are being targeted unfairly How resigning during an active investigation can permanently impact your career through National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) reporting The critical mistakes physicians make when responding to notice or warning signs that a peer review investigation is underway How to protect yourself with proper documentation, experienced legal counsel, expert witnesses, and written communication, and resources available through the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) You can find more information and resources at https://aapsonline.org/sprarchive/  This episode is sponsored by our insurance agents directory at Physician Side Gigs, which includes resources for various insurance products, including disability, life, malpractice, home, and auto insurance. This curated list contains brokers who have been used by thousands of members in our communities. Find insurance agents by visiting https://www.physiciansidegigs.com/insurance-agents-for-physicians. Find more of our content at www.physiciansidegigs.com, our Facebook communities, and our Instagram accounts!