Are We Doing Discipline Right? Lessons from the U.S. and Beyond

Is the design of the U.S. professional discipline system fundamentally flawed? While there is no question that unethical or incompetent practice must be addressed to protect the public, do regulatory boards—often composed primarily of members of the profession—have the policy expertise and adjudicative experience necessary to carry out that responsibility effectively? In this engaging and thought-provoking webinar, Professor Rebecca Haw Allensworth, author of “Doctors Playing Lawyers: Lessons for Professional Regulation in Crisis,” joins Kyle Karinen, Executive Director of the Washington Medical Commission, for a dynamic exchange on the strengths and limitations of current regulatory structures. Through a series of structured point-counterpoint conversations, they will explore divergent views on entry-to-practice requirements and disciplinary frameworks, drawing from both U.S. and international examples. The session will also spotlight regulatory best practices across jurisdictions, highlighting what works—and what doesn’t—when balancing professional autonomy and accountability.

The session concludes with an off-the-record (i.e., not being recorded) Q&A and open discussion, offering attendees a candid forum to ask questions and exchange ideas with two experienced leaders in the field.

Speakers:
Rebecca Haw Allensworth, David Daniels Allen Professor of Law, Vanderbilt Law School

Kyle Karinen, Executive Director of the Washington Medical Commission