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Cases relating to anaesthetists handled by the UK General Medical Council in 2009: methodological approach and patterns of referral
Author(s) -
Campbell G.,
Rollin A. M.,
Smith A. F.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/anae.12117
Subject(s) - medicine , referral , general anaesthesia , medical profession , family medicine , general practice , pediatrics , anesthesia
Summary The General Medical Council is the regulatory body charged with maintaining standards in the medical profession in the UK . We analysed cases relating to anaesthetists handled in 2009 using fitness‐to‐practise data, comparing them with the profession as a whole and examining patterns of referral. Complaints were made about 105 doctors practising in anaesthesia. The 81 anaesthetists who were investigated further were subject to a total of 225 separate allegations, median ( IQR [range]) of 2 (1–3 [1][, 2010], [2][, 2006], [3][, 2011], [4][, 2007], [5][Cassidy CJ, 2011], [6][Oakey RJ, 2006], [7][Smith AF, 2009], [8][, 2010], [9][Humphrey C, 2011], [10][Allen I., 2000], [11][, 2011], [12][Donaldson LJ, 1994], [13][Old P, 2010], [14][Morrison J, 1998]) allegations per anaesthetist. Anaesthetists had a lower rate of referral compared with doctors in general (0.095% vs 0.20%, respectively, p = 0.0001). They were less likely than doctors in general to be referred by an individual member of the public (27% vs 64%, respectively, p = 0.0001). As with other specialties, allegations were most commonly made about clinical care, probity and relationships with patients. On the basis of 2009 data, we calculated that a mean (95% CI ) of 1 in 120 (1 in 100–145) doctors practising in anaesthesia in the UK will be referred to the General Medical Council every year. We have provided examples of allegations and made recommendations for maintaining good practice in anaesthesia.