As of late last month, physicians in California must inform their patients that they are licensed by the Medical Board of California, and include the Board's contact information. The information must read as follows:
NOTICE TO CONSUMERS
Medical doctors are licensed and regulated by the
Medical Board of California
800/633-2322
The purpose of the new requirement is to inform consumers where to go for information or with a complaint about California medical doctors. This can be done in one of three ways by physicians:
- Prominently posting a sign in an area of their offices conspicuous to patients in a minimum of 48-point type
- Including the notice in a written statement, signed and dated by the patient or the patient's representative, and kept in that patient's file, staing the patient understands the physician is licensed and regulated by the Board
- Including the notice in a statement on letterhead, discharge instructions, or other document given to a patient or the patient's representative, where the notice is placed immediately above the signature line for the patient in at least 14-point type.
These options are designed to serve a multitude of practice settings, including emergency departments, skilled nursing facilities and surgical settings. In every setting where they practice, physicians are responsible for compliance with this regulation, not the facility. In a group setting, only one sign must be posted--should the physicians choose that option--but it must be one that each patient can see. The Board said it expects a good-faith, common-sense interpretation and compliance with this regulation.
Obviously, one of the instances in which a patient would be interested in this notification is when malpractice is committed. If you are interested in filing a medical malpractice claim, you should seek the services of an attorney who understands medicine. Dr. Bruce G. Fagel is an attorney who is a licensed physician. For a free consultation, call him at 800/541-9376, or visit him online at www.fagellaw.com.
