Health professional requisites
The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (October 2023) |
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Health professional requisites refer to the regulations used by countries to control the quality of
In the
Most countries have credentialing staff in regulatory boards or health departments who document the certification or licensing of health workers and their work history. The processes for professional certification and licensure vary across professions and countries. Certification to practise a profession usually does not need to be renewed, while a licence usually needs to be periodically renewed based on certain criteria such as passing a renewal exam, demonstrating continuing learning, being employed in the field or simply paying a fee.[2] Most health care industry employers publish the specific requisites for persons seeking employment by means of job boards, ads and solicitations for employment. Practicing health care without the appropriate license is generally a crime.
Medical practice requisites
Most countries require individuals to demonstrate proof of graduation from a recognized medical school, such as one meeting the quality assurance standards of the World Federation of Medical Education,[3] as requisite to obtain professional certification for practice as a physician or physician assistant.
In the United States, once obtaining the appropriate medical degree, physicians can apply to attain licensure via Board certification.
In India, practitioners of both modern medicine and traditional medicine are subject to professional regulation. Doctors are regulated by the Medical Council of India, while practitioners of Ayurved, Siddha and Unani medicine are regulated by the Central Council of Indian Medicine.[4]
Nursing requisites
The legal requisites as well as scope of practice for nurses (and also midwives and nurse midwives) vary across countries. For instance, in some countries nurses are trained and authorized to provide emergency childbirth care, including administration of oxytocins and newborn resuscitation, whereas in other countries these clinical functions are only authorized for physicians.[6]
Respiratory Therapy requisites
Other professional requisites
Dentists and many other categories of allied health professions typically also require professional certification or licensure for legal practice. Training and knowledge in basic life support is required by regulation for certification for many practicing individuals, including emergency medical technicians.
Requisites and regulations for other professions, such as
Practicing without a license
Practicing without a license is typically illegal. In most jurisdictions, individuals found to be providing medical, nursing or other professional services without the appropriate certification or licence may face sanctions including even criminal charges leading to prison. The number of professions subject to regulation and nature of sanctions that can be imposed for failure to comply vary across jurisdictions.
For instance, in the United States, under Michigan state laws, an individual is guilty of a felony if he practices or holds himself out as practicing a health profession subject to regulation without a license or registration or under a suspended, revoked, lapsed, void, or fraudulently obtained license or registration, or exceeding what a limited license or registration allows, or who uses the license or registration of another person as his own. The "practice of medicine" may be defined as any diagnosis, treatment, prevention, cure, or relieving of a human disease, ailment, defect, complaint, or other physical or mental condition, by attendance, advice, device, diagnostic test, or other means, or offering, undertaking, attempting to do, or holding oneself out as able to do, any of these acts.[7]
According to the MDCH the following professions must be licensed for practice in Michigan:
- Acupuncture
- Athletic Trainer
- Audiologist
- Body Art
- Chiropractic
- Counseling
- Dentistry
- Dietetics and Nutrition
- Marriage & Family Therapy
- Massage Therapy
- Medicine
- Nurse Aide
- Nursing
- Nursing Home Administrator
- Occupational Therapy
- Optometry
- Osteopathic Medicine & Surgery
- Pharmacy
- Physical Therapy
- Physician Assistant
- Podiatric Medicine & Surgery
- Psychology
- Respiratory Care
- Sanitarian
- Social Worker
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Veterinary Medicine
In Florida, such crime is classified as a third degree felony,[8] which may give imprisonment up to five years.[9] Practicing a health care profession without a license which results in serious bodily injury classifies as a second degree felony,[8] providing up to 15 years' imprisonment.[9]
In the United Kingdom, healthcare professionals are regulated by the state; the
Similarly, in South Africa, at least 12 professional titles are protected by law, subject to regulation by the Health Profession Council of South Africa.[11]
In Uganda, a person who calls themself a "nurse" or "midwife" without having the appropriate licence from the Nurses and Midwives Council can be subject to a fine and/or up to three years of imprisonment.[5]
See also
- Health professionals
- Health workforce
- Allied health professions
- Unlicensed assistive personnel
References
- ^ Tulenko et al., Framework and measurement issues for monitoring entry into the health workforce. Handbook on monitoring and evaluation of human resources for health. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2009.
- ^ Schuwirth L, The need for national licensing examinations. Medical Education, 2007, 41(11):1022–1023.
- ^ World Federation of Medical Education
- ^ Central Council of Indian Medicine Archived 2011-02-26 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b Uganda Legal Information Institute. Nurses and Midwives Act 1996 (Ch 274) Archived 2011-10-05 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 18 April 2011.
- ^ wiki.bmezine.com --> Practicing Medicine. In turn citing Michigan laws
- ^ a b CHAPTER 2004-256 Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 1118 State of Florida, Department of State.
- ^ a b 775.082. Penalties Archived 2011-06-12 at the Wayback Machine United States Sodomy Laws. compilation v1.0 (January 28, 1998)
- ^ Health Professions Council of the United Kingdom
- ^ Health Professions Council of South Africa