Friday, July 11, 2014

ACGME Voices Concern over Missouri's Assistant Physician Law

In an attempt to address the state's ongoing physician-shortage problems, Missouri Governor, Jay Nixon, recently signed into law a provision that would allow medical school graduates who haven't completed residency to practice in primary care settings. 

The law stipulates that these graduates, deemed assistant physicians, undergo a 30-day supervision period with a collaborating physician. Once completed, assistant physicians could begin seeing patients within 50 miles of the supervising physician. 

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education's CEO, Dr. Thomas Nasca, voiced concern that without residency experience, assistant physicians may not be able to provide the level of care necessary to independently medically manage patients.

Read more about it in a HealthLeaders Media interview with Dr. Nasca. 

No comments: