Fitness-for-Duty Evaluations of Physicians and Health Care Professionals: Treating Providers and Protecting the Public

AAPL Practice Resource for the Forensic Evaluation of Psychiatric Disability

“…Physician FFD evaluations are also frequently requested to evaluate troublesome or disruptive behavior (140,144,145). The AMA defines disruptive behavior as "conduct, whether verbal or physical, that negatively affects or that potentially may negatively affect patient care (146)."…”

“…In such cases, a state medical society physician competency committee can act as a resource (49). Evaluators should consider noting in their reports that their expressed opinions are limited to assessment of the relevant psychiatric factors (140,145).…”

“…All referral sources will ask for an opinion about the fitness to practice medicine (142,145). However, more specific referral questions are generated by the focus, mission, concerns, or agendas of referring agencies.…”

“…FFD examinations requested by residency training programs or medical schools may reflect concerns about fitness to complete training and fitness for learning. Referral questions from military and Department of Defense agencies may reflect features of their specific codes of conduct (140,145).…”

“…The results of the FFD evaluation can affect a board's decision to grant licensure. A license to practice medicine is a privilege that is regulated by medical boards (19,140,145). A license can be suspended or revoked after an administrative hearing.…”