Characteristics associated with physician discipline: a case-control study

Board certification was associated with a lower risk of discipline ([odds ratio] OR, 0.45; P<.001) in our study and that of Morrison and Wickersham. Consistent with these findings, Silber et al reported that board-certified anesthesiologists had better clinical outcomes, adjusted for case mix, than their non–board-certified counterparts. Their study used Medicare claims records for 144 883 patients in Pennsylvania. In addition, Slogoff et al reported good correlation between the clinical skills rating of 1310 anesthesiology residents, assessed by their respective residency directors, and the subjects' likelihood of subsequently becoming board certified in anesthesiology.

Neal D. Kohatsu, Dawn Gould, Leslie K. Ross, and Patrick J. Fox

JAMA Internal Medicine

March 22, 2004

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