The Informed Patient Institute and the Patient Safety Action Network have released a report on "Communicating about Physician Sexual Misconduct: How are state medical boards doing?" The report is focused on transparency and education of the public and physicians about sexual misconduct. From the report: "In the initial review by volunteer researchers, only eight out of the 64 websites reviewed had information about physician sexual misconduct directed at consumers/patients and 15 had information directed at physicians. Upon further examination of these and other sites, we found only a few with policies and materials that demonstrated to the public and doctors the seriousness with which these regulators handled such violations. These included state medical boards that had clear policy statements about sexual misconduct, informative and easy to find materials for the public and physicians and provided training on the topic. On the other hand, we also found state boards frequently used euphemistic language to obscure sexual misconduct. Many states didn’t have any material that we could find." The report gives a series of recommendations "focused on state medical board website information available for the public and for physicians as well as training and other activities."
June 29, 2022
Report on medical board transparency about sexual misconduct
December 09, 2021
Debate over physician assistant/associate title
In May 2021, the American Academy of Physician Assistants changed its name to the American Academy of Physician Associates and has been advocating for state legislatures and regulatory bodies to adopt the name change, in recognition that PAs provide care as part of a team and do not have direct physician oversight of their work. The American Medical Association and the American Osteopathic Association have warned of confusion resulting for the patient.
British Columbia Law Society report of independent reviewer
The Law Society of British Columbia has released the report of an independent review they commissioned this summer by internationally-recognized expert Harry Cayton. The review evaluated the Law Society's governance rules, practices and policies against the Professional Standard Authority's nine Standards of Good Governance. The report found the Law Society meets four of the Standards and partially meets three. Identified strengths were "comprehensive governance policies and procedures, commitment to equity and diversity and to reconciliation, the board’s respectful discussion of issues and the positive relationship between the board and executive team." Areas of concern were "consultation and engagement that takes into account lawyers’ views and, by contrast, lack of direct engagement with the public and consideration of their interests in decision-making."
July 07, 2021
Update: UK government to consider nursing job titles
A petition in the UK to protect the title "nurse" has received the required signatures for government action, and the Department of Health and Social Care "will consider in detail whether the protection of title offences relating to registered nurses, midwives and nursing associates are the right ones when bringing forward reform of the NMC’s [Nursing and Midwifery Council] legal framework, following our consultation on the reform of all healthcare professional regulation."
June 30, 2021
Report: US funeral service regulators provide poor information to consumers
Th Funeral Consumers Alliance and the Consumer Federation of America have issued a report evaluating consumer information provided by state funeral regulators. The report considered how well funeral home regulators' websites inform the public on their legal rights when making funeral arrangements, suggest smart shopping strategies, explain how to file complaints, and identify funeral homes that have been subject to disciplinary actions. The report found seven states that provide excellent consumer information and 33 states that provide poor or no information. The remaining ten states provided some information but perhaps not under a prominent consumer topic heading. The report gives examples of model website elements, such as ease of use and clarity, an easy-to-use complaint form, complete information on disciplinary actions, and relevant information on consumers' rights and price disclosures.
March 24, 2021
Newfoundland and Labrador colleges create complaints facilitator role
The College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board, and the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador have established a new position known as a complaints facilitator. The complaints facilitator will assist individuals in the process of filing an allegation or complaint. The colleges aim to "expand access to regulatory services" and provide support for individuals who "may find the complaints process intimidating."
January 16, 2020
New research on consumer perception of occupational licenses
New research released by the National Bureau of Economic Research studied online home improvement service requests from consumers and the impact of licensing status on their hiring of a professional. The research shows that a higher number of reviews, higher ratings, and lower bidding prices influenced consumer choice and that licensing status had essentially no effect on hiring decisions. The paper indicated that the availability of alternative quality checks such as online reviews “has probably reduced the level of regulatory stringency needed to ensure the same service quality as in a world without online reviews.”
December 05, 2019
BC: steering committee proposes changes to healthcare regulation
A legislative committee in British Columbia is proposing changes to "streamline and modernize the province’s health professions regulatory system, to increase transparency and to put a 'relentless focus on patient safety.'” One aspect of the changes would allow consumers more information online about complaints, actions and sanctions against health professionals. Another aspect of the plan calls for the 20 health regulatory colleges to be consolidated into 5 - podiatrists would join physicians and surgeons, midwives would join nursing professionals, and the four oral health colleges would become one. Other changes would be an umbrella entity to oversee the colleges and equal numbers of professional and public members on boards. Comments are sought on the proposed changes through January 10, 2020.
November 26, 2019
Study shows support for architectural licensing
A study undertaken by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards indicates that 89% of respondents support architectural licensing. Seventy-six percent of respondents agreed that licensing makes consumers feel safe, and 74% agreed that licensing ensures that practitioners are competent.
November 13, 2019
Michigan launches online licensing tool for veterans
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has launched an interactive website aimed at providing veterans and members of the military with information on how to become licensed in various professions in Michigan. The online tool contains information on how to apply military experience towards licensure, temporary licensure for military spouses, waiver of certain fees for veterans and active duty military members, and reimbursement of exam fees.
