Political pressure and more attention to the growing problem of prescription drug abuse have contributed to increased scrutiny of medical boards in recent years. That has led some states to pass legislation or make policy changes to bolster how the boards regulate and discipline physicians.
As a result, medical boards across the country are taking more disciplinary actions against doctors. The number of board actions against physicians increased 6.8%, from 5,652 in 2010 to 6,034 in 2011, according to an annual summary of board actions compiled by the FSMB.
Source: Carolyne Krupa, AM News [6/4/12]