The disruptive physician: a legal perspective

Abstract

Rationale and objectives: This article addresses the medical and legal implications of disruptive physician behavior. In addition, this article will address the appropriate use of due process in peer review of disruptive physician behavior.

Conclusions: While most hospitals and even national organizations, like the American Medical Association, have definitions for what constitutes disruptive physician behavior, these definitions have been further examined and clarified in court rulings. These court rulings not only further clarify what constitutes disruptive behavior but also establish a threshold for revocation/nonrenewal of a physician's hospital privileges.

Keywords: Disruptive physician behavior; medical-legal issues; professionalism.