If you were processing an application, how would you handle this?

An interesting application crossed my desk this week.

The applicant provided an explanation of a lawsuit that was filed against her.  She explained that one night when she was on call, she was asked by a nurse to come help with a patient who was "out of control".  The patient was wailing his arms, kicking and slapping at the nurse.  The doctor helped to get the patient back to bed all the time being punched and kicked.  The patient then began jumping on the bed. Fearful that the patient would fall off the bed and injure himself, the doctor tried further control over the patient.  The patient continued to kick and punch so the physician "gently" slapped the patient to get his attention.  The nurse reported the physician to administration for patient abuse.

I posed this question to several of my highly respected peers.  Here are some of their thoughts:

Carol (not to be confused with me, Carole):  I think that the physician behaved inappropriately (as did nursing) but the situation was unusual and extreme.  Unless there was a pattern of concern with this physician (previous examples of poor judgment) that this should be an interesting part of this story but have limited impact.

Bonnie:  I would want to verify her story somehow, either through an administrator at the hospital or department chair.  I would also confirm that this behavior was a single incident and not typical of her.  I would push her a little bit to see what evidence there really was to support a lawsuit going forward.  I would probably ask her for a copy of the filing papers.   Did the licensing board take any action or investigate?  Did her hospital take corrective action?

Anne:  There never is a good reason for physical abuse.  I've never heard of a "gentle" slap.  This application requires careful investigation and perhaps an interview with a physician well-being committee.

If you were processing an application, how would you handle this?

Carole La Pine, MSA, CPMSM, CPCS