What is the purpose of peer review in professional practice?

• A. To punish poor performers.
• B. To evaluate performance, identify improvements, and safeguard patient safety and professional standards.
• C. To audit billing practices only.
• D. To determine promotions.

Answer: (B)

Peer review in professional practice is a process where clinicians review each other’s care to ensure it meets professional standards and keeps patients safe. The main purpose is to evaluate performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and safeguard patient safety and professional standards. It emphasizes constructive feedback and continuous learning, often leading to targeted education, mentorship, or remediation to raise the quality of care across the team. This focus on improving care and maintaining safety distinguishes it from activities like punitive punishment, billing audits, or decisions about promotions, which do not center on clinical quality and patient safety in the same way.