See also:
Physicians, Impaired
Physicians, Clinically Deficient
The AAFP believes a physician or other health care practitioner to be clinically deficient when (s)he does not exercise prudent medical judgment and/or is unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety without jeopardy to patient care due to incompetent and/or unethical practices.
When the behavior is not egregious, these factors may, in some instances, be alleviated through education and/or behavioral modification.
AAFP members who are participating in educational and/or behavioral modification programs for clinically deficient physicians will be supported by the Academy and will not be excluded from membership and activities solely because of their participation in a treatment program. This policy does not prevent restriction or revocation of AAFP membership and its privileges if the member fails to meet membership requirements as specified in the Bylaws. The AAFP supports state and local medical society efforts to provide programs and resources (e.g., referral services, support groups) for clinically deficient physicians. (1987) (2006)
When the behavior is not egregious, these factors may, in some instances, be alleviated through education and/or behavioral modification.
AAFP members who are participating in educational and/or behavioral modification programs for clinically deficient physicians will be supported by the Academy and will not be excluded from membership and activities solely because of their participation in a treatment program. This policy does not prevent restriction or revocation of AAFP membership and its privileges if the member fails to meet membership requirements as specified in the Bylaws. The AAFP supports state and local medical society efforts to provide programs and resources (e.g., referral services, support groups) for clinically deficient physicians. (1987) (2006)
