Isle doctors react to
Nader’s critical survey

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By Helen Altonn
haltonn@starbulletin.com

Hawaii ranked lowest in the nation in a survey of serious disciplinary actions taken against doctors last year because "we do an outstanding job policing ourselves," says Dr. Philip Hellreich, former Hawaii Medical Association president.

Public Citizen, a public interest group founded by Ralph Nader, issued a report Thursday showing Hawaii's Board of Medical Examiners had the worst performance in disciplinary actions in 2002.

Hawaii also was among states with the lowest disciplinary rates in 2000 and 2001.

Constance Cabral, executive officer of the board, had no comment on the finding.

Hellreich, a dermatologist and legislative liaison for the medical association, said there are a couple ways to look at the report, and he does not see it as negative.

"We have an excellent peer review process in the hospitals and through the medical society, and we practice very high-caliber medicine."

The medical association also has a good peer review process and committees to help physicians who have problems, he said.

"We render remedial treatment when necessary," Hellreich said.

Other states with the low disciplinary rates were Delaware, Wisconsin, Tennessee, South Carolina, Maryland, North Carolina, Florida, Pennsylvania and Minnesota.

Wyoming had the highest rate, followed by North Dakota, Alaska, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Arizona, Ohio, Colorado, Montana and Utah.