Protect Your Rights. Protect Your Livelihood.

  1. Home
  2.  → 
  3. Professional Licensing
  4.  → Unprofessional behavior can put a medical license in jeopardy

Unprofessional behavior can put a medical license in jeopardy

On Behalf of | Jun 23, 2021 | Professional Licensing

California doctors and other medical staff members do not have easy jobs. After all, it is common for lives to hang in the balance and for doctors to have to make decisions and perform procedures in hopes of helping their patients as best as possible. Unfortunately, not every scenario has a perfect outcome, and this can cause some patients to feel as if doctors did not do everything possible to help or that doctors did not follow proper procedure.

As a medical doctor, you understand how difficult it is to handle every medical situation that you face. You also know that it is impossible to achieve perfect outcomes in these scenarios because each person, each condition, each reaction to treatment, and each day in the office or hospital is different. Sadly, despite your best efforts, your medical license could end up on the line if a patient files a complaint.

Did a patient consider you unprofessional?

As a doctor, you must uphold a standard of care and act ethically in any given situation you face. In some cases, doing what is ethical is not always clear, but you always try to do your best. Still, if a patient filed a complaint for any of the following reasons, your ethical behavior and professionalism may face scrutiny:

  • Not meeting the standard of care
  • Abusing a patient
  • Not being honest with a patient
  • Making unnecessary prescriptions
  • Being convicted of a felony
  • Not keeping adequate records
  • Not having the proper medical education

Dealing with complaints of unprofessional or unethical behavior is more than just an inconvenience. You could have to go before the medical board to address the matter, and your license could face a suspension or even a revocation, depending on the outcomes of the situation.

Defending your license

Luckily, you have the right to defend against any complaints against you in hopes of keeping your medical license active. In the event that the board does suspend or revoke your license, you may be able to take steps to have your license reinstated. Unfortunately, these predicaments are often complicated, but you do not have to handle them alone. With the right information and assistance, you may have the ability to address your ordeal and patient complaints in an effective and favorable manner.