The UK Private Healthcare Sector And Its Approach Towards Doctors' Deviant Behaviours

• In Event: Tax fraud and occupational crime

Abstract

This presentation addresses how the private healthcare sector in the UK approaches clinical and behavioural deviant actions of doctors, as defined by the General Medical Council (GMC). This research is important as it focuses on often unnoticed or disregarded deviant behaviours by doctors and the attitudes of private hospitals towards them. These behaviours tend to be neglected by the media and relevant criminological literature, despite them potentially having detrimental impacts on patients' health and well-being, as well as negative effects on public trust in the medical profession.
The study relied on 20 semi-structured interviews with Board members, hospital directors, and medical directors responsible for imposing rules, observing doctors, and taking necessary disciplinary action against deviant doctors in the private healthcare sector.
The study's preliminary findings point to the fact that disciplinary sanctions may be softened for highly performing doctors, in line with the profit-driven ethos of private practices. In addition, even if a doctor is sanctioned by one private hospital for their misbehaviour, they can be hired by another private hospital due to the current shortage of healthcare professionals. These findings highlight the need for greater accountability and regulation in the private healthcare sector to ensure the safety and well-being of patients and colleagues.

Author

• esin damar, University of Essex