Session: State Board Investigations: What Happens Next?

	23rd Annual Meeting February 7-10, 2007 New Orleans, LA
Annual Meeting Highlights Supported by an educational grant from Merck & Co., Inc. © 2006 American Academy of Pain Medicine


Friday, February 9, 2007: 3:45 PM-5:00 PM
State Board Investigations: What Happens Next?
The timeline and language of state board investigations varies from state to state. When faced with a state board investigation, it is important for a physician to understand the timeline and meaning of specific legal terms used in the complaint. Whether to navigate the process “bare” or with the advice of legal counsel should be considered. An understanding of the medical board perspective is also critical, as is the role of the investigator. This session will present a general discussion of medical board investigations, with some specific considerations for the practice of Pain Medicine. Case studies will be presented to illustrate important aspects of a state medical board investigation. Practice improvements that may prevent a trip to the state board will also be reviewed.

Submitter:	Donna Bloodworth, MD
Moderator:	Martin Grabois, MD
3:45 PM		Introduction Martin Grabois, MD
3:50 PM		The State Board's Role, Time Line, Due Process, and Remedies; A Prosecutor's Perspective and Suggestions to Avoid Visiting Your Board Arthur Thexton, J.D.
4:10 PM		An Investigation Has Been Initiated Against You and Your Practice: What Happens Next? Donna M. Bloodworth, MD
4:30 PM		Retaining Legal Counsel--An Attorney's Perspective Jennifer Bolen
4:50 PM		Question and Answer Session