MSV urges the Joint Commission to modify its definition of physician

14 April 2010

MSV has joined with the American Medical Association (AMA) and 65 state and specialty medical societies in urging The Joint Commission to modify its revised glossary definition of a “physician” so as to avoid confusion among hospitals, administrators, and patients.

The proposed revision was intended to align The Joint Commission’s definition in terms with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). However, this definition primarily corresponds to payment rather than any scope of practice, licensure, accreditation, or other purpose that might fall in the scope of The Joint Commission. MSV, along with the AMA and other state and specialty medical societies, believes the term “physician” is a descriptor that should be limited to individuals who have received a Doctor of Medicine or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree, or an equivalent degree of medicine following successful completion of a prescribed course of study from an international school of medicine.

The joint comments (link to letter) submitted by the aforementioned organizations provide a definition and clear understanding of the differences between the training, education and skills of physicians and non-physicians in order to ensure appropriate safeguards to patients in regard to truth and transparency concerns, while minimizing confusion and future consequences.