profession
Joint Commission urged to clarify "physician" definition
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted May 24, 2010
In an effort to promote transparency in the health care environment, organized medicine is urging the Joint Commission to define the term "physician" more clearly.
That's according to an April 13 letter that dozens of state and specialty medical societies, including the American Medical Association, wrote to the commission. The letter asked the agency to limit use of the term to those who have received a doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathic medicine degree, or international equivalent.
The request comes amid concern from the physician community that other health care professionals have been employing a "doctor" title without possessing the corresponding education or training.
Physicians say such moves confuse and mislead patients, as well as hospital administrators and other members of the health care team.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/05/24/prbf0524.htm.
