Forensic psychiatric assessments of behaviorally disruptive physicians

Forensic psychiatrists may be requested by a wide range of agencies and committees to assess physicians alleged to be behaviorally disruptive. Many of the adjudicatory procedures and questions of these agencies differ substantially from the familiar ones in civil litigation. Proximate cause and patient harm are not essential elements of the forensic questions raised by these health care agencies. In addition to assessing past professional conduct, the examiner is asked to opine about the examinee's present and future professional health and fitness for duty and what treatment or professional supervision, if any, may be needed to ensure the continuance of those professional capacities.