Even though a concussion is considered a low-grade head injury, it is something that you should take seriously. In fact, you may be unable to ignore it no matter how hard you try, as you still may not feel 100 percent back to normal after an incident where you hit your head. As a doctor, you should know all these things already, and you must truly reflect on and study whether you have been living with post-concussion syndrome since. Well, with that being said, please follow along to find out whether you can continue to practice medicine even if you have post-concussion syndrome, and how one of the New York physician defense lawyers at Walker Medical Law can assist you if you find yourself in this ethical dilemma.

What should I know about post-concussion syndrome?

In short, post-concussion syndrome is when symptoms from a concussion last longer than the typical recovery period (i.e., months instead of weeks). On top of this, these symptoms may seriously impact your daily life and your ability to maintain gainful employment. Usually, medical intervention beyond an order for cognitive rest may be deemed necessary, such as physical, vestibular, and cognitive therapies. Without further ado, below are warning signs commonly associated with post-concussion syndrome:

  • Physical symptoms: chronic headaches, dizziness, nausea, insomnia, light/noise sensitivity, blurred vision, balance issues, etc.
  • Cognitive symptoms: difficulty concentrating, remembering short-term and long-term, thinking, reading, etc.
  • Behavioral symptoms: consistent irritability, anxiety, depression, mood swings, stress, social withdrawal, etc.

Can I continue to practice medicine if I have post-concussion syndrome?

Simply put, having post-concussion syndrome does not automatically disqualify you from practicing medicine in New York State. After all, this is a medical condition and not professional misconduct in and of itself. However, this is as long as you have figured out an effective way to treat and manage your symptoms. Otherwise, the concern may be whether your symptoms significantly inhibit your ability to treat patients skillfully and safely.

For one, say one of your post-concussion symptoms is persistent memory lapses that you have yet to get under control. Well, when prescribing a patient with a certain medication, you may forget about the medical history disclosed on their chart and subsequently order the wrong type or dosage. If your patient gets hurt as a result, they may file a complaint with the Office of Professional Medical Conduct (OPMC) or Office of Professional Discipline (OPD) and claim that you were practicing while impaired by a physical disability.

It may not be a good thing if this is the first that the OPMC or OPD hears about your post-concussion syndrome. If the Board believes your physical impairment led to your professional misconduct, they may revoke your right to practice medicine, despite your best efforts to preserve your license before all this. So, if you are ready to step foot into this legal path, do not do so until you have retained one of the talented New York physician defense lawyers from Walker Medical Law. We look forward to your phone call and to taking on your case.