CLEAR

NASEMSO releases EMS scope of practice framework

The National Association of State EMS Officials has released the "Scope of Practice Model Decision-Making Framework for Emergency Medical Services." The new document is intended to provide "a standardized decision-making framework to help determine whether specific activities, interventions or roles are permitted under similar health practitioner's level of education, licensure and competence and to meet standards established by various Practice Acts and rules/regulations of each state/jurisdiction."

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Nebraska eliminates equine massager licensing requirements

The requirement for horse massagers to be licensed veterinarians, work in conjunction with a veterinarian or be certified in human massage therapy has been eliminated. The bill passed unanimously.

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NCSBN launches practice exam

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing has launched the NCLEX Practice Exam (NPE) to aid candidates in the US and Canada in preparing for the NCLEX Exams "with an experience that is similar to the look and the feel of the actual test" using retired NCLEX items. The cost of the NPE is $150 US and includes two 125-question exams (computer adaptive test) to be completed in 5 or 6 hours, a tutorial for the different question types, and a score report showing percentage of questions answered correctly.

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Medical Council of Canada faces criticism over exam policies

The Medical Council of Canada, administrator of the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part I and Part II, has recently come under criticism for its policies about bringing personal items into exams. The MCC policy states that personal items such as purses, bags and backpacks (anything other than a lab coat, reflex hammer, stethoscope and ID) are not permitted int he exam area. Such bags and items can be accessed by staff on request so that test takers can have access to necessary personal items under supervision by exam administrators. The criticism came related to access to menstrual products during exams. Members of Canadian Women in Medicine and Resident Doctors of Canada have spoken out about the policy. The MCC released a statement committing to a review of current policies.

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Indiana: regulation of lawyer speech

Indiana Rule of Professional Conduct 8.2(a) governs lawyers' speech about judges as a "safeguard to protect judges from unwarranted criticism." An Indiana University School of Law professor recently published a book looking at caselaw surrounding lawyer speech and related discipline. She concludes that such rules "can cause attorneys to stay tight-lipped even in the face of judicial misconduct, often do[ing] more harm than good - instead of building respect for the judicial branch, it can allow judicial misconduct to continue."

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AAFP State Legislative Conference reports on state bills

The American Academy of Family Physicians State Legislative Conference roundtable provided state progress reports from the chapters. Some notes:

• A Virginia bill to allow doctors of medical science programs to license advanced-study physician assistants did not advance.
• An Indiana bill will not allow chiropractors' scope of practice to include ordering and interpreting advanced diagnostic imaging on all areas of the body.
• Michigan will fund student loan repayment for family physicians practicing in underserved areas.

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Ontario: survey on financial advisor regulation

Recent survey findings in Ontario reveal that 76% of respondents wrongly believe that "financial advisor" is a regulated profession in Ontario. CEO of the Financial Advisors Association of Canada stated that the survey results "prove there is a tremendous amount of misplaced trust in the market and reinforces just how badly new regulations are needed to protect the public." The survey also found that 91% of respondents supported legislation to regulate the title financial advisor, and 80% felt that there should be a mandatory code of professional conduct for financial advisors.

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UK: Harry Cayton steps down as Chief Executive for PSA

After 11 years with the Professional Standards Authority, Harry Cayton has stepped down as Chief Executive. In an article for the Insights into Regulation blog, Cayton proposes some key qualities of the best people in the regulatory field: curiosity, tenacity, scepticism, and precision.  Read more

Alberta introduces bill to protect patients from sexual abuse

The Alberta Minister of Health has introduced Bill 21 - An Act to Protect Patients, which has passed first and second reading. The bill is intended to create enhanced transparency and create additional measures to protect patients from sexual abuse by healthcare practitioners. The bill would require all healthcare registration applicants to undergo a criminal records check. The bill provides definitions of sexual abuse as physical acts and sexual misconduct as objectionable conduct, behavior or remarks. During hearings related to sexual abuse or misconduct, at least one appointed member of the hearing tribunal must be of the same gender identity as the patient. The bill also specifies which sanctions must be implemented for findings of sexual abuse and misconduct, including for those found guilty in another jurisdiction. The bill also requires greater accessibility of complaint information on colleges' websites and the establishment of a patient relations program and funding for counseling for victims of sexual abuse and misconduct.

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AMA expands Health Workforce Mapper tool

The American Medical Association has updated and expanded their Health Workforce Mapper tool, which uses data-visualization to locate physician shortage areas. The tool provides information on an area's healthcare workforce, including specialists and subspecialists, searchable by state, county or zip code. The tool also shows healthcare facilities and information on transportation and geographic features, such as highways, mountains and waterways, that could affect access to care. The tool has been used to help inform policymakers on issues related to telemedicine and scope of practice as ways of addressing healthcare shortage areas.

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