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AMA collaboration details recommendations for physician re-entry process

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To help ensure a strong, viable physician workforce, the American Medical Association announced this week its recommendations to improve the process for physicians wanting to re-enter medical practice and resume treating patients after an extended absence.

“About 10,000 physicians could re-enter clinical practice in the U.S. each year,” American Medical Association (AMA) President Cecil B. Wilson, MD, stated in an association press release. “Easing the re-entry process can help increase the physician workforce and improve access to care for patients. These new recommendations are aimed at helping ease a range of challenges physicians can face as they pursue re-entry.”

Cecil B. Wilson

Re-entry occurs when a physician decides to return to clinical practice in the same capacity in which the individual has been trained and certified, following an extended period of time away that is not due to disciplinary or impairment issues. Physicians may take voluntary leave from medical practice for child rearing, personal or family health issues, and academic leave, according to the release.

According to the release, the new recommendations for re-entry by the AMA are meant to help state licensing boards, the Federation of State Medical Boards, state and specialty societies, and medical education programs develop and implement re-entry programs.

According to information from the AMA’s website, the new regulations consist of three regulatory policies, three physician re-entry program policies, six areas of research and evaluation, and two policies to foster collaboration and communication among stakeholders.

National re-entry policy guidelines must be developed that are consistent and evidence-based. They should specify the length of time away from practice that necessitates participation in a re-entry process and how much clinical care constitutes active practice. Physicians who are participating in re-entry programs should be allowed to engage in clinical practice under supervision, the AMA noted in the release.

The AMA collaborated with the Federation of State Medical Boards, the American Academy of Pediatrics and other stakeholders, including leaders in licensure, board certification and medical education and directors of re-entry programs, to develop the recommendations on physician re-entry.

Reference:

• www.ama-assn.org/go/reentry

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