Complaints against physicians with the Texas Medical Board (TMB) are increasing, with 8,114 complaints being filed in 2016. Many of these complaints are by patients. Understanding the reasons that they contact the Texas Medical Board can help you avoid being the subject of a complaint and know what to do if you are being investigated.
Top Reasons That Unsatisfied Patients Contact the TMB About Their Physicians
Even if you try to provide quality care every time you treat a patient, this does not mean that you will not be investigated by the Texas Medical Board due to a complaint. Major reasons that patients contact the Board about doctors include:
● Failing to provide the proper quality of care
● Not meeting the patient’s expectations for their examination and treatment
● Failing to properly or promptly diagnose a medical condition correctly
● Not communicating enough with the patient
● Causing the person to experience excessive pain when receiving treatment
● Practicing in an area of medicine where the doctor is not qualified
● Engaging in inappropriate behavior or unprofessional conduct
● Releasing confidential information when there was no authority to do so
● Failing to properly maintain medical records and to release them to patients
Steps You Should Take If a Patient Files a Complaint Against You
The Board takes these grievances seriously and has the authority to take disciplinary actions against a doctor for violations of the Texas Medical Practice Act or violations of TMB rules. Here are three crucial first steps you want to take if you are subject to an investigation:
- Retain an experienced medical licensing defense and peer review attorney as soon as possible who can help you build a strong defense to any allegations against you.
- Respond to any notices by the TMB within their deadline. You want your lawyer to draft your response because it may affect the outcome of the Board’s investigation.
- Produce all of your records to the Board – preferably with your written response but certainly more than fifteen (15) days prior to an Informal Settlement Conference.
- Understand how the complaint process works and what you can realistically expect to happen in your case.
If you received a licensing complaint, attorney Walt Taylor can help. He has represented healthcare professionals throughout Texas, including physicians in the Dallas/Fort Worth and Mid-Cities areas, who are the subject of a Board investigation. You can get your questions answered and learn how he can assist you by scheduling your free consultation with Walt. Contact us online or call our office directly at 817.380.4888 to get started today.