National Coalition Is Watchdog for Scope-of-Practice Expansion

With strong support from the American Medical Association (AMA), organized medicine is banding together to oppose practice expansions by allied health care providers, which would jeopardize the health and safety of the public.

During the past year, physicians in California, as well as those represented by 31 state medical associations, eight national medical specialty societies and the American Osteopathic Association, became part of the Scope of Practice Partnership (SOPP). This AMA-led coalition of physician groups focuses its resources on contesting scope-of-practice expansions, which threaten patient safety. The SOPP serves as a watchdog of legislative, regulatory and legal efforts to put the practice of medicine into the hands of allied health professionals, who may lack the necessary education and training.

That is an ongoing issue in California and many other states--including Hawaii, where lawmakers recently defeated legislation that would have given prescribing authority to psychologists, as law currently allows in New Mexico and Louisiana.

The SOPP enables specialty societies and state associations to effectively scrutinize such expansion efforts. Because issues facing a single specialty or specific state eventually could affect others, it is important that other physician groups get involved, said John Neeld Jr., MD, an anesthesiologist from Atlanta.

"With better consensus on the appropriate roles of various professionals, physicians and other health care workers will have a better-defined working relationship, which is important as the concept and process of team care become more prevalent," said Dr. Neeld.

David Teuscher, MD, an orthopedic surgeon from Beaumont, Texas, agrees. "If we were going to uphold the high standards of the practice of medicine, we all need to be in this together," he said.

Know Your Prescribing Data Options

Thousands of physicians have restricted pharmaceutical sales representatives from accessing their prescribing data by registering for the AMA's Physician Data Restriction Program (PDRP). While the AMA does not collect, distribute or have access to physician prescribing data of any kind, it does offer individual physicians a voice in how their prescription data may be accessed and used, and also provides a mechanism for physicians to register a complaint if a company or representative uses prescribing data inappropriately. The program is available to all physicians.

Visit www.ama-assn.org/go/prescribingdata to restrict pharmaceutical sales representatives' access to your prescribing data or to get more information about the PDRP.

Doctor Sued Over Smoking Ban

The AMA Litigation Center--a coalition of the AMA and state medical societies--is standing up for a physician who is being sued for carrying out his duty to enforce a smoke-free air ordinance as a county health officer. William Mercer, MD, of West Virginia's Wheeling-Ohio County Board of Health, faces a lawsuit--both as the county health officer and as an individual--from a tavern owner who objects to an ordinance restricting the use of tobacco products in public establishments. Because Dr. Mercer is being sued as an individual, he has been forced to retain and pay for an attorney out of his own pocket. However, he is receiving substantial support from his fellow physicians, with the AMA Litigation Center and the West Virginia State Medical Association providing him financial help to offset his legal expenses.

Become a Top Communicator

The 27th annual AMA Medical Communications Conference provides a unique opportunity for physicians who want to improve their media skills. Set for April 12-14 in Tampa Bay, Fla., the conference offers a wide variety of exercises and interactive workshops aimed at helping doctors deliver health care messages most effectively during interviews and speaking engagements. Top health care reporters, public relations professionals and communications coaches will provide hands-on training during more than 30 workshops.

Visit www.ama-assn.org/go/mcc2007 to learn more and register for the conference.