ABSTRACT
Between 2010 and 2012, the Federation of State Medical Boards Research and Education Foundation (FSMB Foundation) conducted a survey of state medical boards in an effort to ascertain the extent to which state medical board members and staff have experienced threats of violence and the actions taken by state boards in response to such threats. The survey also assessed current and anticipated levels of security being provided by state boards. Of the 70 boards queried, 37 responded, with 73% (n=27) of these boards reporting that their board members and/or staff had experienced either explicit or implied threats of violence. These threats targeted board members (85%), board staff (78%) and others (15%). Many of the threats directed at board members occurred after board meetings and/or hearings and were made by either a physician or a family member of a physician. Most of the threats directed at board members, staff and others were verbal, including threats of death. Most boards provide a security presence at board meetings, ranging from local law enforcement agencies to private security firms, but less than half of the respondents in the survey expressed satisfaction with their present security level. The results of the survey suggest that the state medical board community should be aware of the potential for violence against board members and staff, and should formulate prevention and threat-assessment policies as a precaution. Educational and training resources may be needed at the state board level. This could include the development of educational modules to train state public officials in conflict management, the prevention and handling of acts of violence, and how to identify and assess the seriousness of a potentially violent or stressful situation.
