Reporter CME — test questions

1. The chief mission of the Texas Medical Board is to protect the public and ensure a sufficiently trained physician workforce.

   1. true
   2. false
   
   

2. There are roughly ____________ pages of regulations about the TMB and its authority over physicians and the other professions it regulates.

   1. 500
   2. 1,000
   3. 3,000
   4. 12,000
   
   

3. Violations for which the TMB may deny licensure or discipline a physician include:

   1. the physician aids and abets the unlicensed practice of medicine
   2. the physician is subject to recurring meritorious health care liability claims
   3. the physician uses an advertising statement that is false, misleading, or deceptive
   4. all of the above
   
   

4. The Texas Medical Board consists of 17 members appointed by the governor, with approval by the Senate, and they serve in staggered 4-year terms.

   1. true
   2. false
   
   

5. Once the Texas Medical Board receives a complaint, it has ______ days to complete an initial review to determine whether or not the complaint is jurisdictional.

   1. 30 days
   2. 45 days
   3. 90 days
   4. 120 days
   
   

6. Once an investigation has begun (the date on the notice of investigation letter), the Board has 120 days to complete it and schedule an Informal Settlement Conference.

   1. true
   2. false
   
   

7. The following information can be disclosed to the public during a TMB investigation:

   1. information about the initial complaint
   2. investigative files or reports
   3. reports of other physicians reviewing the case
   4. all of the above
   5. none of the above
   
   

8. The following information is not included in a TMB physician profile:

   1. medical school and date of graduation
   2. social security number
   3. the name of each Texas hospital where the physician has privileges
   4. place of birth
   
   

9. The Board is now required to open a medical competency investigation against any physician with three medical liability lawsuits in a five-year period.

   1. true
   2. false
   
   

10. An Agreed Order:

    1. is the most common resolution of an Informal Settlement Conference
    2. defines in detail what duties and conditions the physician must follow to remain in good standing with the Board
    3. is subject to approval by the full Board
    4. a and b
    5. all of the above
    
    

11. If evidence shows a physician is a "continuing threat to the public welfare," the Board may, without notice or hearing, temporarily suspend a physician's license.

    1. true
    2. false
    
    

12. Possible consequences to a physician as a result of a TMB action are:

    1. exclusion from health insurance provider lists
    2. revocation of hospital privileges
    3. loss of board certification
    4. all of the above
    
    

13. In addition to standard of care violations, there are many other ways a physician's actions can initiate a Board investigation. These include:

    1. impairment due to drugs or alcohol
    2. boundary violations
    3. prescribing to family, friends, or co-workers without keeping adequate medical records
    4. a and b
    5. all of the above
    
    

14. The Board has the authority to enter agreed orders without an Informal Settlement Conference for certain "administrative violations" such as failure to provide medical records in a timely fashion and failure to obtain required CME.

    1. true
    2. false
    
    

15. TMB rules state that medical records must be ". . . complete, contemporaneous and legible."

    1. true
    2. false
    
    

16. The TMB requires physicians to complete ______ hours of continuing medical education (CME) every 12 months.

    1. 12
    2. 36
    3. 60
    4. 24
    
    

17. Physicians "on official retired status" with the TMB are required to report CME activities.

    1. true
    2. false
    
    

18. An advertisement can be deemed by the TMB to be false, deceptive, or misleading, if it:

    1. contains false testimonials
    2. claims that a physician has a unique skill without substantiating the claim
    3. advertises a permanent cure for an incurable disease
    4. all of the above
    
    

19. According to the TMB, the most common advertising violation is stating that the physician is board certified when he or she is not board certified.

    1. true
    2. false
    
    

20. Physicians who find themselves involved in the Board disciplinary process should consider hiring an attorney with experience and knowledge of the TMB's investigation process and its rules/procedures.

    1. true
    2. false
    
    

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Physician name/signature: *

Date: 07-29-2010

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