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Bogus Doctor Deceptions during Multi-Casualty Events and Disasters

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Antony Nocera
Affiliation:
Emergency Physician, CareFlight, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
Anne M. Newton
Affiliation:
Secretary, Australasian Trauma Society, Melbourne, Australia

Abstract

Bogus doctors pose a threat to public health and safety, and they present a security threat at disaster and multi-casualty event sites. A “bogus doctor” is an individual who misrepresents him/herself as a registered medical practitioner by their demeanour, actions, dress, or surroundings, while not entitled to be on a register of medical practitioners. There are very few reports in the medical literature, but practitioners have encountered them at the site of a disaster or multi-casualty event. This paper examines the five cases identified in the literature. Secure systems that confirm a health professional's identity and qualifications are required to avoid unnecessary delays and to protect the victims and health professionals providing the care.

Type
Brief Report
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2000

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