PORTLAND, Oregon — State medical boards are entrusted with protecting patients while overseeing and licensing doctors and other healthcare providers. While they play a large role in regulating the overall practice of medicine, how much do patients know about these boards?
A new KGW investigative documentary exposes how difficult it is to hold doctors accountable, and examines how medical boards discipline doctors accused of serious misconduct. We uncovered cases where doctors were allowed to continue practicing medicine despite serious accusations of sexual abuse or gross negligence that led to the death of a patient.
Patient safety advocates have long pushed for state medical boards to include more members of the public, as most boards are predominantly made up of doctors. Advocates argue that adding more members of the public would increase transparency and bring a more balanced approach to discipline.
KGW requested an interview with the Oregon Medical Board and contacted each member individually. We wanted to give the board the opportunity to respond to our reporting and claims made by various advocates and interviewees. The OMB declined an interview.
Who makes up the Oregon Medical Board and what does it do? Here are some basic facts.
Why was the Oregon Medical Board created?
The state legislature established the Oregon Medical Board in 1889 to regulate medicine and “protect Oregon citizens from unauthorized or unqualified persons,” according to the medical board’s website. The first board consisted of three members, who were all doctors, and the legislature tasked them with upholding the Oregon Medical Practice Act.
What does the medical board do?
According to the Oregon Medical Board’s website, its mission is “to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of Oregon citizens by regulating the practice of medicine in a manner that promotes access to quality care.”
The Oregon Medical Board currently oversees more than 20,000 professionals in health care in the state. The medical board is responsible for licensing health care providers including medical doctors, physician assistants, doctors of osteopathic medicine and acupuncturists.
It also “conducts investigations, imposes disciplinary action, and supports rehabilitation, education and research to further its legislative mandate to protect the citizens of Oregon,” according to its website.
Who are the members of the medical board?
There are currently 13 members and there is one vacant physician position, according to the medical board’s website. Of the 13 members, five are Doctors of Medicine (MDs), two are Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs), and one is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM). One member is a Physician Assistant (PA). There are three public members.
How do people become medical board members?
All members must be residents of Oregon. Their immediate family members can’t be employed as health professionals.
The governor appoints each member to the Oregon Medical Board, and then they are confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Each member is selected for a three-year term and they have the opportunity to serve a second term, amounting to a total of six years.
