If you were to receive a communication from the Executive Committee about a practice issue of yours that it seems could have clinical repercussions, how would you address the members, when meeting with them?
This is more than just hospital policy, but a challenge to your clinical authority, which is traditionally up to the physician alone. Therefore, this can be upsetting. It is a question of how you handle personal challenges to your privileges.
"Prior to my meeting, I would research the literature about what I was doing in this particular practice, be it off-label prescribing or using protocols not considered to be evidence-based. My authority allows for some latitude. If in researching this, I discover a serious problem that justifies their concern, I would report that I have learned from this and will not repeat the practice(s) of concern. If I found that I could defend the practice based on research, I would make my case but express that I would abide by their decision on this."
