Patient safety must come first
From the President
Dr. Thiers served as Academy president from March 2020 to March 2021.
By Bruce Thiers, MD, February 1, 2021
Ask almost any dermatologist what health care issue bugs them the most, and they will likely cite unsafe scope of practice expansions by non-physician clinicians. Indeed, scope of practice and truth in advertising are two of the top advocacy priorities for dermatologists every year. Consequently, the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) is hard at work advocating for the adoption or modification of regulations that ensure that — as the workforce expands to include greater use of non-physician clinicians — structures are in place to keep a focus on high-quality and safe patient care.
The Academy serves on the Steering Committee of the Scope of Practice Partnership (SOPP), which includes the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association, and state and national medical societies. Together, this group tackles dozens of inappropriate scope of practice expansions every year.
Academy advocacy
Check out more on what the Academy is doing to tackle scope of practice and truth-in-advertising issues.
This year, we had some significant successes. In 2020 alone, the AADA assisted in defeating nurse practitioner independent practice proposals in Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Louisiana, and legislation in Arizona that would have allowed dentists to administer neurotoxins and dermal fillers. In Florida, the Board of Medicine agreed with the position of the Florida State Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Florida Medical Association, AADA, and ASDSA, and rejected a proposal that would have allowed electrologists to perform laser hair removal to be supervised by a physician via telehealth. Also in Florida, the medical board rejected efforts by pharmacists to treat chronic skin conditions. On the negative side, in California the governor signed a bill allowing nurse practitioners to practice independently; however, we can still influence how the legislation is implemented.
In addition to addressing inappropriate scope of practice expansions, the AADA supports and promotes efforts to assure truth in advertising regarding who is providing patient care. The Academy works in collaboration with the AMA, state medical societies, state dermatology societies, and specialty societies to develop model legislation that requires health care practitioners to identify the license under which they practice as well as their ABMS/AOA Board certification (if any) when advertising their services. In 2020, New Jersey passed the Health Care Transparency Act that closely reflects the model truth-in-advertising bill.
These are just a few examples of how non-physician clinicians are attempting to expand their activities…but they won’t be the last. Fortunately, Academy members do not have to sit idly by. If you have a scope of practice or truth in advertising concern, the Academy can help. Complete the AADA’s brief form and AADA staff will research the state laws and provide you with resources and recommendations as to how you can take action locally.
You can also combat truth-in-advertising concerns by using the new AAD Fellow (FAAD) designation to promote yourself as a board-certified dermatologist. The FAAD designation shows your patients and the public that dermatologists have the most advanced training and certification by an ABMS member Board, and are the experts in diagnosing and treating diseases of the skin, hair, and nails. Be sure to use the FAAD designation anywhere patients can find you.
If you are one of the many who are troubled by unsafe scope of practice expansions and unsettling truth in advertising issues, you are not alone. Rest assured, however, that the Academy has dermatology’s back and will continue to fight on behalf of our patients for high-quality and safe, physician-led care.
