News

Wednesday morning, MSDC leadership and representatives attended the DC Board of Medicine monthly meeting to advocate on behalf of District physicians. The meeting spanned licensure, physician health, patient safety, scope of practice, and more.  

DC Board of Medicine Chair Dr. Andrea Anderson discussed the upcoming physician license renewal cycle.  She recognized the Medical Society of DC, which co-hosted a license renewal webinar with DC Health on September 16 (See recording and powerpoint here).  Many questions were asked during the webinar, and the Board of Medicine is preparing a summary of the questions and answers, which will be placed on its FAQ page.  DC Board of Medicine Executive Director Frank Meyers reported that the 2020 physician license renewal period is expected to open the week of October 5.

Dr. Charles Samenow, chair of the MSDC Physician Health Committee, provided additional information on MSDC's Physician Health Program (PHP). The PHP is a private, confidential, non-disciplinary program that works to advocate for the health and well-being of all physicians in the metropolitan Washington, DC, area and to safeguard the public. Dr. Samenow and Clinical Case Manager Steve Carreras outlined the scope of problems that the PHP addresses, including substance use disorders and addiction, neurocognitive decline, behavioral problems.  Dr. Samenow also indicated that the PHP has adapted to continue monitoring participants during the pandemic while observing public health protocols and the treatment and confidentiality of participants.

The DC Board of Medicine reviewed policy from the Advisory Committee on Athletic Trainers to implement licensure of athletic trainers. The approved policy prohibits medical diagnosis by athletic trainers, but allows assessment of athletic injury to allow for immediate attention to injury on the field, when a physician may not be not present. MSDC raised the issue of athletic trainer's qualifications and emphasized the importance of ensuring that any "assessment" does not include diagnosis or medical treatment that exceeds their training.    

All physicians are invited to attend the monthly DC Board of Medicine meetings, which take place virtually on the last Wednesday of the month at 8:30 AM. The next meeting will take place October 28, 2020 at 8:30. Information about how to participate is located at https://dchealth.dc.gov/node/389772.