As an attorney, Gregory Piche’ is well versed in the peer review process, having spent many years representing hospitals and physicians. He realized early on that many of the procedures he participated in were often initiated in bad faith as a result of hospital policy or financial competition.

Piche’ wrote the book so that physicians, their families, and attorneys can benefit from an objective overview of the process and the knowledge that they are not alone.

Using his own case histories and sources from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, BNA Healthcare Reporter, and various healthcare list servers, Piche has assembled a collection of interesting and turbulent case histories that made it to US courts for a more detailed review. and interpretation.

The book is an informative read, replete with interesting circumstances and their results. It also delves into the American judicial system and its general unwillingness to overturn the peer review apple cart, shaky as it may be.

Physicians, hospitalists, and dentists need to understand the facts of life related to the peer review process and how it can jeopardize and derail a career in medicine. The book points to several bogus peer reviews that rated good doctors negatively for life, even though they were unfairly judged by their peers. It’s also a warning to entrenched doctors, committees and hospital board members who claim immunity that if they don’t play fair, there could be legal and financial consequences.

Piche’ believes that there should be a more collaborative approach with a statute of limitations or expiration regarding reports submitted to the National Professional Data Bank. There should also be better enforcement of basic due process rights enumerated in the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986.

Piche’ believes that offering immunity to governing committees often dilutes the peer review process, leading to bogus review. She affirms that the laws and due process are important to protect the interests of professionals.

Piche’ offers several effective ways to circumvent the current system known as Medical Peer Review, favoring rehabilitation, retraining, and independent evaluations to dilute the false adversarial influences caused by ego, power, and money that seem to dominate the profession.

The book informs, entertains and enlightens. Sham Peer Review: The Power of Immunity and The Abuse of Trust is available in print or as an eBook from Amazon.com and other online stores. You can also visit the author’s website: http://www.gregorypiche.com.