The authors, all FSMB researchers, sent surveys to the nation's 70 medical and osteopathic medical boards. Of the 37 that responded, 27 (73%) reported experiencing explicit or implied threats of violence between 2010 and 2012. Among those that reported receiving threats, 85% said threats were directed at board members; 78% were directed at staff; and 15% were directed at others associated with the board but not employed by it, such as an assistant attorney general, hearing officer, judge and even a state governor.
The authors noted that many of these threats were made at board meetings, often by physicians or their families, and included death threats.
“Most boards provide a security presence at board meetings, ranging from local law enforcement agencies to private security firms, but less than half of the respondents in the survey expressed satisfaction with their present security level,” the report stated. “The results of the survey suggest that the state medical board community should be aware of the potential for violence against board members and staff, and should formulate prevention and threat-assessment policies as a precaution.”
According to reports, Pierce suffered extensive burns and broken bones and was partially blinded in the bombing. He renewed his participation with the medical board in August 2009. Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court (PDF) declined to review Mann's case.
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