Two Paths, One Destination: A Demographic Portrait of Physicians Sanctioned by the Federal Government

Abstract

There is scarce information about the institutional mechanisms creating the demographic portrait of sanctioned doctors published in the U.S. Office of Inspector General's (OIG) List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE). The current study examines the demographic characteristics of 1,289 physicians who appeared in the LEIE during a five-year period from 2008 to 2013. The results of a multivariate logistic regression found that sex, country of medical school training, and medical specialty were associated with being excluded by the OIG for a quality of care matter. Findings suggest the demographic portrait of doctors in the LEIE reflects the interplay between the doctors’ behaviors and the actions of various agencies. A demographic portrait of physician violators, if one considers the mechanisms generating the list, can be useful for public policy recommendations and action.