CLEAR

Highlighting approaches to addressing health practitioner shortages

A report by the Association of American Medical Colleges projects a shortage of 120,000 doctors by 2030. This article highlights some approaches being implemented by hospitals and healthcare systems, including:

• launching training and residency programs in rural areas and impoverished cities and encouraging graduates to practice locally;
• employing more advanced practice professionals, such as physicians assistants, nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives, as part of care teams;
• expanding telemedicine to allow real-time examination and monitoring of patients in areas where specialists are in short supply; and
• relieving or reducing clerical burdens associated with electronic health records and introducing programs to promote mental well-being, both aimed at reducing risk of burnout and early retirement.

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Illinois: changes to medical cannabis regulation

New legislation in Illinois makes changes to medical cannabis regulation, including expanding the type of medical professionals who can certify patients' eligibility. Advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants will now be able to diagnose and certify patients for the medical cannabis program.

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Healthcare Professionals Crossing Borders newsletter

The summer edition of Healthcare Professionals Crossing Borders Update is available with articles highlighting the UK and Ireland's Memorandum of Understanding related to reciprocal recognition of professional qualifications; a report on task shifting in healthcare systems, including whether some tasks currently being performed by health workers could be undertaken by machines; a European Commission High-Level Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence and a set of seven key requirements for AI systems to be deemed trustworthy; a joint statement by the UK's nine healthcare regulators about the benefits of becoming a reflective practitioner; the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency's new video series to support the public and practitioners through the complaints process; and a new report on international mobility of health workers.

Read the HPCB Update

Rhode Island: changes to physician assistant requirements

A new law in Rhode Island removes the supervision requirements for physician assistants in favor of a more collaborative relationship between PAs and physicians. Hospitals and health care practices will no longer need written PA supervision agreements on file. The Act requires PAs to consult with a physician as necessary based on the patient's condition and the PA's competencies and experience. The new law also allows PAs to be considered primary care providers.

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Nurse practitioner role in managing opioid crisis

A new US report from the President's Council of Economic Advisors highlights potential solutions to the opioid crisis but does not consider scope of practice issues for healthcare providers. Recent statistics  indicate that almost 80% of Americans with opioid addiction are not receiving treatment. This article highlights the role that nurse practitioners with an expanded scope of practice could play in increasing access to care and medication assisted treatment.

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South Carolina expands physician assistant scope of practice

A new law effective August 11 in South Carolina will expand scope of practice to allow physician assistants to refer patients to hospice, pronounce and certify the cause of death, execute do-not-resuscitate orders, prescribe Schedule 2 narcotics, and sign some documents on behalf of physicians. The new law also reduces the amount of time of temporary licensure prior to obtaining a permanent license.

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P.E.I. elected party supports greater scope of practice

The Progressive Conservative party just elected on Prince Edward Island made expanded scope of practice for health professionals one of its campaign promises. The new PC Leader emphasized greater access to health care if nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, physiotherapists and midwives are allowed to practice to the full extend of their education and training.

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Florida governor opposes APRN independent practice

A measure passed in the Florida House to allow advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants to work independently of physicians does not have the support of Florida's governor. The bill has not yet passed in the Senate.

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Alabama considers optometrist scope of practice

The Alabama Senate Health Committee is considering a bill that would expand optometrist scope of practice to include in-office minor surgical procedures. Many areas of the state do not have easy access to ophthalmologists, and bill sponsors hope an expanded optometrist scope of practice would increase access to care. None of the procedures included in the bill require anesthesia.

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Arkansas considers change to pharmacist scope of practice

A bill under consideration in Arkansas to allow pharmacists to dispense oral contraceptives to patients 18 or older without a doctor's prescription has passed in the House and moves on to the Senate. Pharmacists wanting such prescription authority would be required to complete a training program with the State Board of Pharmacy. If patients have not seen a primary care provider or gynecologist in the last six months, the pharmacist would have to refer them to a doctor and offer only a six-month supply of contraceptives.

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