Professor Rosenthal has done her job extremely well. In an area in which there are few facts and figures, and those that exist are largely held in secrecy, she has produced a clear picture of what actually is going on and we should be grateful to her.
Sir Raymond Hoffenberg
Based on qualitative, ethnographic research carried out in England and Sweden, this book examines a neglected area of professional self-regulation. It explores the range of informal and quasi-formal mechanisms used by doctor colleagues, health care managers and professional organizations in attempts to cope with the problem of the incompetent doctor. Focused on Consultant Surgeons and senior General Practitioners, extensive interviews reveal a repertoire of mechanisms that include, amongst others, the Frank Talk , Protective Support , the Veiled Threat , being Forced out of the Partnership , the attempted Golden Handshake and, when all else fails, Stalemate and Marginalization . Each chapter include