Professional development curbs physician misbehavior

The Joint Commission released findings of a study showing a professional development course called the Program for Distressed Physicians reduced unprofessional physician behavior. The program consisted of three one-day sessions spread over six months in which physicians learned, among other things, to promote peer accountability and support, identify risk factors and prevention strategies, and promote effective leadership skills. The sample for the study was small, but results were significant. Pre- and post-survey results showed 24 of 28 participating physicians improved professional behavior, indicating increases in teamwork, peer relations and patient or family orientation and empathy. (Joint Commission news release, 1/24/20)