Recognizing physicians' rights under exclusive contracts.

Abstract

As hospitals attempt to position themselves as competitive economic units with selected physicians, economic credentialing of hospital medical staff will accelerate. What recourse do physicians on staff have when a hospital enters into an exclusive contract with another group? Do the due process provisions in the medical staff bylaws apply? Is there a right to due process and to a hearing even when no quality issues are involved? This article discusses recent court decisions on this topic, focusing on Texas statutes and case law.