I might go ahead and join AMA now

[periopdoc]

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Members do not see this ad.

ASA members received notice today of an article in American Medical News. It discusses AMA's response to the NBME certifying exam for DNP.

The AMA House of Delegates was expected to consider, at its mid-June Annual Meeting, a resolution proposing to explore alternative physician licensing testing options. The resolution calls for the AMA to withdraw representation from the NBME if the testing organization fails to act to safeguard the integrity of the physician licensure process.

I have not been paying close attention to AMA's political activity much since I started residency because at that time, they did not seem to be addressing the issues that I care about. Seeing this level of commitment to address the NBME head on is enough to make me join the AMA to show my support for continued attention to threats like this.


It also has a great quote from ASA President Roger Moore

"It's very important the delineation between nursing degrees and physician degrees is not obscured and patients aren't misled," said Roger A. Moore, MD, president of the American Society of Anesthesiologists. He cited examples of DNPs referring to themselves as "doctor" in the clinical setting. Nursing schools also have adopted terms such as "residency" and "fellowship" as part of their doctoral programs.

Use of the USMLE Step 3 "appeared to be one more step in that direction for nurses to be able to claim they have the same credentials as physicians ... and that's a misrepresentation," Dr. Moore said.

In case you do not go read the article, there are some nurse quotes that reveal/ confirm what their ultimate goal is.

in the Jan. 16 Chronicle of Higher Education. Mary O'Neil Mundinger, DrPH, RN, dean of Columbia University School of Nursing in New York, was quoted as saying: "If nurses can show they can pass the same test at the same level of competency, there's no rational argument for reimbursing them at a lower rate or giving them less authority in caring for patients."

American Assn. of Colleges of Nursing President C. Fay Raines, PhD, RN, said the DNP degree does not change nurses' scope of practice, which would be up to state legislatures.

Doctor of nursing programs are available in 34 states and Washington D.C.
However, such programs "are similar [to obtaining a medical degree] in that they involve advanced preparation ... and certainly there are some things that are common across disciplines," said Raines, dean of the University of Alabama in Huntsville College of Nursing.

Many states, for example, recognize advanced practice nurses' ability to independently treat and diagnose patients, as well as prescribe medications. Other health professions are moving toward practice doctorates to respond to primary care shortages and an aging population, Raines said.

The NBME's certification exam for DNPs is an additional, voluntary credential, Raines added. "But it's always important for people to be recognized in areas in which they are experts." Transparency is important, but the term "doctor" is not exclusive to physicians, she said.

I will be sending a letter to AMA president J. James Rohack explaining that it is issues like this that will get young physicians like myself to be more involved in the AMA.

Roger Moore continues to impress me more all the time.

Lets join up with physicians across specialty lines to send a message that we will no longer stand quietly while the physician's role is devalued by lesser trained individuals.

- pod

 

[periopdoc]

OK so Blade beat me to it by about 4 hours, but this issue does deserve its own thread. I didn't realize he had posted it as a continuation of the other thread until after I posted this then went to read the other thread.

- pod

 

[Taurus]

I hope the AMA files a lawsuit claiming fraud soon.

 

[ProRealDoc]

Folks,

There are many here who preach that we do not need to do anything because the status quo will always remain (i.e, physicians will be physicians and nurses will be nurses). We now know it won't and the ASA along with our all rants has understood that these DNPs and CRNA DNPs and any other bogus degrees are a real problem.

The ASA has moved in to take over key positions at the AMA and is making the AMA membership at large aware of what medicine as a whole is facing.

This is no longer an anesthesia problem. It is a medicine problem and we need, as periop stated, strengthen ties across specialties, respect one another and become allies.

To those attendings here who always think we are full of anger, condescending attitudes and suspicion towards the nursing establishment, now you see why.

If doctors needed a reason to stick together, this is it.

 

[Taurus]

Folks,

There are many here who preach that we do not need to do anything because the status quo will always remain (i.e, physicians will be physicians and nurses will be nurses). We now know it won't and the ASA along with our all rants has understood that these DNPs and CRNA DNPs and any other bogus degrees are a real problem.

The ASA has moved in to take over key positions at the AMA and is making the AMA membership at large aware of what medicine as a whole is facing.

This is no longer an anesthesia problem. It is a medicine problem and we need, as periop stated, strengthen ties across specialties, respect one another and become allies.

To those attendings here who always think we are full of anger, condescending attitudes and anger towards the nursing establishment, now you see why.

If doctors needed a reason to stick together, this is it.

👍

Agreed. This is an issue that affects all of medicine. If we allow the DNP's to get away with what they are doing now, that will just embolden them to do more later. It's critical that the AMA face this head on. Let's remember how the pain physicians addressed the issue of CRNA's doing pain head on and came out much stronger for it. Physicians can do the same with the DNP's. We need to clearly delineate what is medicine and not nursing. Nursing's goal is to pretty much claim all of medicine as their own. We can't let that happen.

 

[sweetalkr]

Just wanted to make note. On the Pain medicine forum, it was mentioned that CRNA's in Ohio are practicing pain and had classes to teach them medial branch blocks and radiofrequency ablation.

At some point, we have to stand up. Do any of the seasoned guys out there know any real steps we can take besides these generic mass emails we are sending? Any politically active people have any advice? I am only at the beginnings of my political activisim in anesthesia. please let me know

 

[Impromptu]

A few suggestions: When you see something in the newspaper that makes you cringe, write letters to the editor, including MD after your name. Write to your politicians.

Contribute to the ASA and the ASA PAC. They are contacting key policymakers and run nationwide and local political campaigns.

In your daily conversations at the hospital and elsewhere contribute some of the ASA talking points, but add personal touches, things you have experienced.

Look at the recent ASA newsletter that addressed marketing. Know the difference between a brand and a commodity and make sure you are making the point to others. MD anesthesiologists have unique skills that allow them to be a brand.

Have your private group run radio and television advertisements that highlights your brand.

Be informed. Residents should constantly talk to the academic attendings and other residents about the issues, especially ivory tower ones. A constant message can influence behavior.