The Maryland Board of Physicians (the “Board”) is an agency of the state with the authority to license physicians and other health care providers such as physician assistants, radiographers, radiation therapists, radiologist assistants, nuclear medicine technologists, respiratory care practitioners, psychiatrist assistants (renewals only), polysomnographic technologists, athletic trainers, and naturopathic doctors to practice in Maryland, and to discipline licensees who violate the Maryland Medical Practice Act.
In addition to establishing qualifications for licensure, the Board is responsible for investigating complaints against licensees and for taking action against the license of those who fail to maintain Maryland’s high standards of medical care delivery or who break the laws governing licensure.
Pursuant to the Health Occupations Article (H.O.), Md. Code Annotated, § §1-212, 14-205.1 and Chapters 612 and 613, Acts of 2020, information regarding the operations of the Maryland Board of Physicians (the “Board”) as outlined in items 1 through 17 below is provided as follows:
- The number of new complaints investigated for physicians, allied health practitioners, and unlicensed individuals: 827 complaints.
- The number of complaints that remain open as of June 30 of the immediately preceding fiscal year at the Board and at the Office of the Attorney General:
Board: 74
Office of the Attorney General, Prosecutor’s Office: 39
Office of the Attorney General, Board Counse:l 0 - The three most common grounds for complaints:
● Disciplinary Ground §14-404(a)(3)(ii), is guilty of unprofessional conduct in the practice of medicine; 248 allegations of unprofessional conduct in the practice of medicine.
● Disciplinary Ground §14-404(a)(22), fails to meet appropriate standards as determined by appropriate peer review of the delivery of quality medical and surgical care performed in an outpatient surgical facility, office, hospital, or any other location in this State; 247 allegations of failure to meet the standard of care.
● Disciplinary Ground §14-404(a)(40), fails to keep adequate medical records as determined by appropriate peer review; 46 allegations of failure to keep adequate medical records. - The three most common sources out of the 827 complaints received:
Patients/Family: 482
Board (through the application process) Renewal Applications – 17 Initial Application Referrals – 119 (AH-80; Lic & AH=39) Continuing Medical Education (CME) 44 - The total number of cases referred to peer review: 16
- Peer review cases that resulted in total disagreement: 2
- Peer review cases that resulted in charges being issued: 4
- Peer review cases that resulted in closure or closure with an advisory letter: 4
- The number of active licensees for physicians and allied health practitioners:
- Athletic Trainers (A) 823
- Physician Assistants (C) 4,514
- Naturopathic Doctors (J) 60
- Radiologist Assistants (K) 6
- Respiratory Care Practitioners (L) 3,160
- Radiation Therapist/Radiographers (M) 28
- Nuclear Medicine Technologists (N) 520
- Radiation Therapists (O) 379
- Radiographers (R) 5,300
- Perfusionists-Basic (B) 3
- Perfusionists-Advanced (Y) 160
- Polysomnographic Technologists (Z) 319
- Psychiatrist Assistants (S) 5
- Total Active Allied Health Practitioners 15,277
- Physicians, M.D. 34,154
- Physicians, D.O. 2,236
- Total Active Physicians 36,390
- Grand Total Physicians and Allied Health Practitioners 51,667
If you or a loved one may have been injured (or worse) as a result of medical malpractice in Maryland, you should promptly find a Maryland medical malpractice lawyer who may investigate your medical malpractice claim for you and represent you or your loved one in a Maryland medical malpractice case, if appropriate.
Click here to visit our website or call us toll-free in the United States at 800-295-3959 to find medical malpractice attorneys in Maryland who may assist you.
Turn to us when you don’t know where to turn.
