Sweeping Abuse By Doctors Of Their Patients Under The Rug

In the state of Georgia, citizens have a “safe place” they can turn to if the need arises over an issue with a physician. This “safe place” is known as the Georgia Composite Medical Board.

Now, if anyone isn’t familiar with this specific board, it’s basically a panel of doctors who are supposed to protect patients from the offenses of practicing physicians. I have become very intrigued in researching this board as it is failing we patients with appalling numbers.

Thanks to an amazing group of investigators from the AJC or Atlanta Journal Constitution, Georgia had 1,787 complaints filed in the last fiscal year alone. Only 36 of those numerous complaints had outcomes of license revocations and suspensions.

I continued my research further into our failing health care system only to raise my shock factor through the roof. I urge all citizens to take the time and research what this board fails to do. I applaud the dedication and hard work of the team who brought so many physicians out of the dark and into the light so that their allegations, ramifications and perverse actions were made public for the first time.

The board does its very best to cover up and hide any claims and ramifications, if any were even taken, from the public. They prefer to sweep the dirt under the rug. Well, as a Georgia citizen, I am challenging this board to change. I ask all of our readers to research Doctors@AJC.com and read the real truth that our board keeps hidden from us. It’s time that a change be made for the better for the people.

After all, isn’t the board’s sole purpose to protect we patients? If that’s true, than why do these members of this board allow complaints to be kept hidden from us? Even more so, why would this board allow physicians who admit to sexually abusing patients to continue to practice in our great state?

We deserve answers and the truth. We demand honesty and integrity from this board. These board members are failing us and helping physicians who have no place in the medical field. So, whose really protecting who?          

Nicole Morris

Rossville, Ga.