While the Board will not report the actual amount of the malpractice payments, consumers can get a sense of how their physician compares with others similarly situated. The legislation mandates that a disclaimer accompany the report stating that a malpractice settlement may not reflect negatively on the professional competence of a physician and should not create an assumption that malpractice has occurred. The data collected indicates that only approximately six percent of Rhode Island doctors have paid a malpractice claim. A physician's profile is available free of charge over the Internet, or in paper form for those without computer access. Most consumer decisions regarding the choice of physician are dictated by the realities of health insurance coverage, geographic location and referral.
Informed consumers are more likely to ask questions and start a dialogue with their physician.
Many consider this to be a very positive outcome of consumer awareness. This brings up the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline web page. From there you can access Physician Profiles or navigate through a variety of informative pages regarding the Board. Laws define the powers of public health officials and serve as a tool to establish norms for healthy behavior and help create the social conditions in which people can be healthy. During the 1999 session 100 Representatives introduced 1,091 bills while fifty Senators introduced 1,622 bills.