A new U.K. study has found that the referral rate for concerns about a physician's or dentist's performance are likely to be highest for older white men, according to a news story on Dentistry.uk.co.
The referral rate for doctors and dentists older than age 50 is five times the rate among those in their 40s or younger, according to the story. The analysis also shows that female doctors are two-thirds less likely to be referred for assessment than men.
The report is by the National Clinical Assessment Service (NCAS, which receives referrals from hospitals and primary care trusts, whistle-blowers, or individuals about the performance of doctors and dentists, the story explained.
Reasons for referrals to the NCAS range from poor diagnostic skills to lack of communication with patients, drug and alcohol misuse, and criminal offenses.
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