Restrictions abandoned too early, doctors initially considered (5)

I believe the answer is:

rated

'considered' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'restrictions abandoned too early doctors initially' is the wordplay.
'initially' indicates taking the first letters.
The first letters of 'restrictions abandoned too early doctors' is 'RATED'.

(Other definitions for rated that I've seen before include "Graded by trade" , "Stormed" , "Assessed in trade" , "Taxed" , "Was worthy of" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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