#MeToo and Medical Staffs: Handling Allegations of Physician Sexual Misconduct

This CLE course will provide counsel to healthcare systems and providers with guidance on policies and procedures to address allegations of physician sexual misconduct. The panel will discuss investigations, reporting requirements, and the impact on privileges as well as examine recent cases.

The Dr. Larry Nassar case and the #MeToo movement have significantly increased attention on sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, and inspired many victims to come forward and report sexual assault. Healthcare providers, hospitals, and health systems are rushing to ensure appropriate handling of sexual misconduct allegations.

Many healthcare providers are revisiting and revamping their policies and procedures regarding incidents of alleged sexual misconduct. Such allegations may trigger peer review proceedings, which are confidential and conducted separately from a human resources investigation.

Further, hospitals and health systems must comply with state and federal reporting requirements as well as applicable National Practitioner Data Bank reporting guidelines.

Whoever alleges the misconduct--medical staff or employees or patients--counsel to the healthcare organizations must ensure processes are in place to handle claims of sexual misconduct and investigate allegations.

Listen as our authoritative panel discusses policies and procedures hospitals and health systems should have in place as well as investigations of alleged sexual misconduct. The panel will also examine recent cases and address the fallout from alleged misconduct, including the impact on privileges and state and federal reporting requirements.