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The hearing of fitness to practice cases by the General Medical Council: Current trends and future research agendas

John Martyn Chamberlain, Marty Chamberlain Orcid Logo

Health, Risk & Society, Volume: 13, Issue: 6, Pages: 561 - 575

Swansea University Author: Marty Chamberlain Orcid Logo

DOI (Published version): 10.1080/13698575.2011.613984

Abstract

Over the last three decades a risk-based model of medical regulation has emerged in the United Kingdom. To promote a risk-averse operational culture of transparency and professional accountability the regulatory state has intervened in medical governance and introduced best-evidenced practice framew...

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Published in: Health, Risk & Society
Published: 2011
Online Access: http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/chrs20/current
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa29711
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Abstract: Over the last three decades a risk-based model of medical regulation has emerged in the United Kingdom. To promote a risk-averse operational culture of transparency and professional accountability the regulatory state has intervened in medical governance and introduced best-evidenced practice frameworks, audit and performance appraisal, Against this background the paper analyses descriptive statistical data pertaining to the General Medical Council’s management of the process by which fitness to practice complaints against doctors are dealt with from initial receipt through to subsequent investigative and adjudication stages. Statistical trends are outlined regarding complaint data in relation to a doctor’s gender and race and ethnicity. The data shows that there has been an increase in rehabilitative and/or punitive action against doctors. In light of its findings the paper considers what the long-term consequences may be, for both patients and doctors, of the increasing use of risk-averse administrative systems to reform medical regulation and ensure professional accountability.
Keywords: Complaints, Fitness to Practice, General Medical Council, Medical Regulation, Professional Self-Regulation, Risk
College: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Issue: 6
Start Page: 561
End Page: 575

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