Truth in advertising

Click on the map below to access truth-in-advertising legislation in your state.

The Academy's position on physician-led care

The Academy strongly supports the physician-led, team-based model of health care delivery and recognizes the vital role all providers play in the health care delivery system. However, ambiguous provider nomenclature, misleading advertisements, and the myriad of individuals one encounters in each point of service exacerbate patient uncertainty.

There is a wide spectrum of training and expertise among health care professionals. In a clinical setting, it is often impossible for patients to know whether the person providing their care is a physician, nurse, physician assistant, pharmacist, dentist, or dental hygienist. This creates confusion for individuals receiving health care, as many patients are reluctant to ask their health care professional about their training and certification during a visit.  The Academy believes those who regulate and deliver medical care have an obligation to inform the public of the qualifications and limitations of the persons providing their care prior to treatment. All health care practitioners should identify or disclose their degree or field of study, board-certification, and licensure to each patient.

A recent survey conducted by the American Medical Association’s Scope of Practice Partnership (SOPP) confirms increasing patient confusion regarding the many types of health care providers, including physician assistants, technicians and other providers. The survey revealed:

• 54% of patients incorrectly believe an optometrist is a medical doctor

• 35% of patients believe a nurse with a “doctor of nursing practice” degree is a medical doctor

• 44% of patients believe it is difficult to identify who is a licensed medical doctor and who is not by reading what services they offer, their title, and other licensing credentials in advertising or other marketing materials

Additionally, the SOPP survey reinforces that patients want more transparency regarding the credentials and qualifications of their health care providers:

• 92% of patients believe only medical doctors should be permitted to use the title “physician”

• 87% of patients support state legislation to require all health care advertising materials to clearly designate the level of education, skills, and training of all health care professionals promoting their services.

If you have an issue of concern regarding truth-in-advertising and/or scope of practice, please use this form to contact the Academy. AADA staff will research the state laws and provide you with resources and recommendations as to how you can take action locally.

Related Academy resources