What is the primary purpose of credentialing for physicians and licensed clinicians?

The primary purpose of credentialing for physicians and licensed clinicians is to officially review qualifications and data of applicants. Credentialing is a systematic process used to verify a professional's qualifications, including their education, training, experience, and current competence to ensure they meet the standards required to practice safely and effectively within a healthcare organization. This process involves assessing various documents such as medical licenses, board certifications, and malpractice histories, which collectively establish the clinician's capability to deliver quality care.

While improving patient satisfaction is certainly an important goal in healthcare, it is an indirect outcome of having qualified professionals through effective credentialing. Ongoing training and development are essential for keeping skills current, but they do not encompass the scope or primary aim of the credentialing process itself, which focuses on initial verification of qualifications. Similarly, assessing the financial performance of a practice falls outside the scope of credentialing, as the primary focus is on the clinical qualifications of the providers rather than the practice's financial metrics.