CLEAR

Australia: agreement reached on national registration of health professions

The Council of Australian Governments has reached an agreement on the long-debated national registry for health professions. It provides for a single national ministerial-level agency charged with both the registration and accreditation functions for nine health professional groups. Included are physiotherapy, optometry, nursing and midwifery, chiropractic care, pharmacy, dental care (dentists, dental hygienists, dental prosthetists and dental therapists), medicine, psychology and osteopathy. The new agency, the Australian Health Workforce Advisory Council, will be operational by 1 July 2010. Read the Intergovernmental Agreement for a National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for the Health Professions.

Washington: unified disciplinary system for health professionals

With the exception of provision 40, which she called an unnecessary emergency clause, Governor Gregoire signed into law the remainder of a 50-page professional discipline reform bill. The new unified disciplinary system will give the state increased authority to protect the public through its licensing and disciplinary processes. Read "Persistence Pays Off," from the Olympian. See also Fourth Substitute House Bill No. 1103 (as passed legislature).

California: auditor finds chiropractic board violated laws

State Board of Chiropractic Examiners: Board Members Violated State Laws and Procedural Requirements, and Its Enforcement, Licensing, and Continuing Education Programs Need Improvement. This title is also a findings summary for an audit disclosing that a lack of understanding about state laws resulted in legal violations committed by the board's members. The report also charges that the board had insufficient control over its programs and made inappropriate delegation to staff.  Download the full report.

Canada: time for continuing education reform?

CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association, has asked the Canadian Academies of Health Sciences to initiate a stakeholder dialogue on reforming the current continuing education system. The editorial expresses concern that the system is heavily funded by the pharmaceutical industry, whose self-interest is apparent in the educational agendas and delivery methods. Establishing an Institute of Continuing Health Education would "place our continuing medical education system firmly in the hands of unbiased and qualified people."  Read more.

Colorado: sunrise review on hair braiders

2008 Sunrise Review: Hair Braiders/Natural Hair Stylists is available from The Office of Policy, Research and Regulatory Reform.  State statutes require hair braiders/natural hair stylists to hold a hairstylist or cosmetologist license which requires little or no preparation in African-style braiding.The report concludes that "The current regulatory framework creates a scenario in which an unlicensed person who has been providing hair braiding/natural hairstyling services for years is in violation of the law, while a licensed hairstylist can legitimately provide these services to the public without having had a single hour of training." The only identified threat hair braiders/natural hairstylists pose to the public is the possibility of poor sanitation and disinfection practices. The recommendation is that the legislature exempt from the Barber/Cosmetology law those hair braiders/natural hairstylists who take a sanitation and disinfection seminar.

Shanghai: physicians banned from providing beauty treatments

The Ministry of Health has banned physicians from practicing controversial beauty treatments such as fat-dissolving injections and application of growth hormones for a youthful appearance. Dr Tan Chor Hiang, the ministry's head of regulations said "This is not medicine. Such services should never be offered on the pretext that they are medical in nature and are medically beneficial."

Idaho: licensing of naturopaths still unclear

The House Health and Welfare Committee refused to go along with an earlier Senate proposal to get rid of the current naturopathic licensing board members. The senate bill also would have granted naturopathic physician licenses only to graduates of doctoral programs recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The issue is not necessarily closed, pending action by the governor.

Canada: adverse action disclosure guidelines

The Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) has released voluntary national guidelines to assist healthcare providers with the disclosure of adverse events. The guidelines emphasize the necessity for disclosing such events, outline a clear and consistent approach to disclosure, and stress that "the use of the term disclosure in communications with patients should not in any way imply blame for or fault of the healthcare provider."

Idaho: voluntary licensure for building contractors

A new voluntary licensing/certification program has been created in Idaho. Distinct from the existing mandatory registration program operated by the State Board, the new Professional Building Contractor Licensing Review Board says that "under current Idaho law, building contractors are required to be registered with the state, but are not required to be licensed in most areas. In 2007, the Professional Building Contractor License Review Board (PBCLRB) was created to implement and oversee a voluntary licensing program that will act to certify building professionals that participate as “Professional Building Contractors.” Read more.

Florida: DBPR catches 49 unlicensed contractors

For six months, the Florida Division of Business and Professional Regulation and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office worked undercover in a decoy house, calling in people who advertised plumbing, electrical and roofing services. Of the 85 people who responded, 49 were unlicensed. Sixteen of these were arrested this week and citations issued to the others for soliciting work without a license. Read more.