Medical Revalidation and Harold Shipman, Serial Killer

Here in the United States MSPs have been hearing about a serial killer named Michael Swango. Author James Stewart reported the Swango case in his book, Blind Eye. This week I learned about another notorious serial killer, Harold Shipman, an English general practitioner who happens to be the only British doctor to be found guilty of murdering his patients. He was convicted January 31, 2000 for 15 murders and sentenced to life imprisonment. Following the trial, an investigation discovered enough evidence to link Shipman to the murders of over 215 people, 80 percent of them females.

As a result of these horrific crimes, a plan to require annual competency evaluations is being implemented and will affect over 150,000 physicians from India who are practicing in the United Kingdom. The details of the plan are explained in Medical Revalidation: Principles and Next Steps by Sir Liam Donaldson, Britain's Chief Medical Officers. Senior physicians appointed to identify poor performers based on patient questionnaires and comments from colleagues will conduct these assessments. These assessments will include physician communication skills, prescribing habits, personal problems (alcohol or drug abuse) and inclusion of patients in decisions regarding their treatment.

Who came up with this idea? According to information from the references listed below, the proposals were developed by the General Medical Council and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges. The rationale is the scandals over medical incompetence and in particular the case of Dr. Shipman. The focus of this plan is to raise standards, not as a means for disciplinary action for a small number of physicians.

It will be interesting to see how this plan rolls out, how it is perceived by the public, and what impact it may have on the practice of medicine. Think the United States government will be watching?

Carole La Pine, MSA, CPMSM, CPCS



References:
www.business-standard.com/india-Press Trust of India
www.medscape.com - Tim Castle
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life and style/health - David Rose
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Shipman