Current event pt 2: 10 Physicians had their licenses reinstated even after having done sexual mis...

1. Advance Equitable Population Health Policy GOAL: Physicians should not be able to get back their license with a sexual assualt allegation. NEW LAW: California law prohibits the states medical board from granitng a license to clinicians who previously had it revoked on the grounds of sexual misconduct and withh no chance of appeal.

1.1. New allegations: Physicians should not be able to practice even while pending their trial of a sexual assault allegation as it puts other patients and the one accussing at risk for violent behaviors.

1.1.1. Fear of Retaliation: Patients may not speak up on the grounds of fear of retaliation as it has been shown that doctors on that board verbally and physically assuaulted patients that came forward. Some ways to allow a safe enviornment for patients to speak include a phone number where patients can annonymously text the insitution about misconduct.These should be implemented in all hospitals and a push for a policy on compliance with anonymous reporting and nondisclosure of patient personal information to the accused should be complied by with all hospitals. In addition, guidelines for reporting and investigating allegations against physicians should be clear and regulated.

1.1.2. Right to a Chaperone: Many hospitals have already implented this aspect for female patients to ahve a female chaperone present during doctor's visits. As known, males such as females can be sexually assaulted by either sex and should also have the right to a male chaperone if needed. One way that this right can be more inclusive is for hospitals to host classes and provide information to staff on how to become a chaperone so they are more readily accessible not just in the primary care setting (ADD another example here)

1.2. Equal Punishment: Those who have been convicted should be registered on the sex offenders list, and be limited in jobs they can have and where they reside the same as those convicted who were not previously doctors.

1.2.1. Power Aspect: Physicians are held to higher authority as evidenced by the board overlooking their wrongful acts of sexual misconduct and reinstating them to continue practicing. This is an unfair power dynamic that puts patient's in danger as the word of the doctor is ultimatley being put above that of the patient who was harmed. (ADD, maybe on the topic of how the board is putting patients in danger with the power they hold themselves and how they refused to speak on the matter when asked )

1.2.1.1. Why is the board overlooking wrongful acts and reinstating doctors?

1.2.1.1.1. Sexual misconduct is not that big of a deal in comparison to others: Doctors with revoked or surrendered licenses due to sexual misconduct are successful in getting them back more than 50% of the time – a rate far higher than those whose licenses were revoked due to fraud, drug abuse and gross negligence.

1.2.1.1.2. The drugs did it: The board reinstated 57-year-old Dr.Zachary Cosgrove after he had sex with three female patients and turned violent on them. After surrendering his license in 2008, he was able to be reinstated in 2016 by saying his behavior was caused by methamphetamines that "made him" hypersexual.

1.2.1.1.3. Proof of Change: The board consider's the physician's evidence of rehabilitation, including testimony from therapists hired by the doctor. If the doctor is able to prove that enough time has been spent reflecting and changing negative habits into healthy habits, the board grants reinstatement.

1.2.2. Patient Compensation: An aspect that is overlooked is the emotional damage that is done to those patients who were assaulted, physically and mentally abused. Compensation could come in the form of those who were harmed being payed a sum from the offender during the court trial for mental health services and hospital expenses.

1.2.2.1. Support for Patients: Establish victim adovocacy programs in order to raise awareness and to prevent futher sexual misconduct. Provide the patient with access to counseling and mental health support. Approach patients using trauma informed care.

1.2.2.2. Safe space: Allow the patient's to have a safe space to talk about their traumas without fear of retaliation. Also make sure to guide them through the process of reporting sexual abuse and what they can expect moving forward in order to alleviate anxiety.

2. Protect Public Health Population During Disasters and Public Health Emergencies: Patient's should have the right to have a witness present during public health emergencies; allegations during times of crises should be taken seriously and taken into consideration for current and newcoming physician's licenses

2.1. Idea of lowered priority in disasters/emergencies as sexual misconduct is not a priority above mass casualty and injuries.

2.1.1. Staff: Trained staff personal on the signs of sexual violence

2.1.1.1. Staff: Train staff protocol for reporting suspected sexual abuse and which resources are available for both the patient and staff member.

2.1.2. Evacuation sites/shelters: They should have rape kits; protected areas where people can not access to commit acts of sexual violence

2.2. Victims less likely to report due to power outage and physically unable to obtain resources

2.2.1. Reporting in Disaster: Staff personal should keep records of names and incidents that occur so that once the enviornment is safe and people are in a place with working electricity, the reports can be accurately made and not swept under the rug.

2.2.2. Accused Personel: One idea is that those accused, such as physicians, should lose thier right to doing procedures in private and should be under the witness of at least 3 people when medical staff and physician availability is low.

2.3. Limiited access to support: Resources such as testing kits may be unavailable due to destruction or obstructions caused by natural disasters. In addition, help hotlines can be busy due to the public health emergency.

2.4. Lack of coordination between various emergency responders during disasters and public health emergencies can disrupt or prevent care from being delivered. Medical, legal and mental health services may be overwhelmed and neglect this population.

2.4.1. Implement shared communication systems in order to facilitate delivery of care. Provide training programs for healthcare professionals working with this population.