Dozens of cardiologists may have skipped internal medicine training, falsified records - report
According to a Channel 13 report, the committee was formed after a resident doctor at the center alleged that residency logs had been falsified so cardiology residents could skip the training.
A special review committee of the Israeli Medical Association's Scientific Council found that dozens of cardiologists at Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot may have falsified their residency records to skip internal medicine training, according to Channel 13. The committee was formed after a resident doctor accused residency logs of being tampered with to enable cardiology residents to bypass the internal medicine stage.
Prof. Kobi George, head of the cardiology department, is alleged to have overseen the falsifications, reportedly to resolve a staffing shortage. The committee recommended barring Prof. George from managing residency programs permanently and revoking Kaplan Medical Center's cardiology department's approved residency status while he remains employed there.
The internal medicine department was suggested to receive conditional recognition for six months, and Dr. Hefziba Green, head of the department, was advised to cease independently signing residency documents for three years. All doctors who completed residency training at Kaplan are to undergo individual assessments to verify their training duration, specialty focus, and any missing requirements.
Prof. George denied the allegations, asserting that all residents and cardiologists underwent the necessary clinical, theoretical, and research training to meet residency requirements. He noted that a majority of graduates passed certification exams and are now recognized specialists. George added that the Health Ministry, the only body with the authority to implement the council's recommendations, has not yet made a binding decision.
Clalit Health Services, Kaplan's employer, announced that its CEO initiated a review of the findings and recommendations, and the Health Ministry has been informed of the steps already taken. Clalit expressed regret over the incident and stated it is taking decisive action to rectify and address the deficiencies highlighted in the report.
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