Student Visitation to State Medical Board Meetings: One Board’s Experience

In my teaching sessions with medical students and residents on professionalism the history process of state boards, I have frequently used FSMB’s online educational modules topic regulation. The very first these opens this quote: “For nearly a decade, two-thirds completing graduate questionnaire AAMC (Association American Medical Colleges) characterized their knowledge licensing regulation as ‘inadequate.’” My own anecdotal experiences align findings: It is evident that many limited exposure to or understanding board processes. Actually, if we look at situation honestly, regulators members might attest even licensed physicians processes, years into licensure.As Physician Member subsequently Chair Board Medicine District Columbia, was deeply impacted by observations. When appointed Board, reflected over function boards course career. could not recall ever hearing regulatory addressed in school. only mention remember resident reminder email received from our residency program coordinator make sure got documents time. which trained granted full licenses end second year training. Outside few attending who reminded us protect when prescribing medications, documenting reviewing labs, don’t think gave thought functions.My suspicion likely case for trainees. did realize are constituted peers give time craft policy license competent workforce aim protection public. Candidly, trainees practicing much about board. Too often, seen punitive entities, viewed being charged policing workforce. reputation too often adversarial, representing an entity be tolerated best feared worst. Many licensees feel they place avoided all costs unless absolutely necessary.Research shows infractions can traced residents. landmark paper 2004, UCSF researchers Papadakis et al. concluded problematic behavior school subsequent disciplinary action linked — suggesting should taught early how work among other topics.Moreover, introducing introduces them concept social contract. Center Professionalism Value Health Care Family has formed resource library sizeable body writing professionalism. Much focuses contract, “implicitly society years.” This paradigm aligns rest two stakeholders long-term partnership. theory argues asks physician altruistic care, advocate patients, keep up date adhering certain standards, standards. return, it suggests been allowed remain largely separate terms professional self-regulation standard-setting. Introducing concepts demonstrable way may impact ability maintain contract physicians.Toward end, DC developed informal practice inviting open Board’s meetings past five years. At see whose paths whatever reason led sit chair table explain actions. As visits residents, considered education provided both grand scale profession more targeted community. We asked ourselves what additional steps incorporated ensure future would need visit purposes future.The comprised 14 four public members. independent some are; rather, housed under Regulation Licensing Administration Health, local health department. Like most typical meeting portion closed, executive session.Our board-visit currently consists mainly word-of-mouth invitations community jurisdiction, biggest uptake had puts emphasis medicine underserved populations.The fairly simple: A faculty member student contact schedules health-regulation specialist attend scheduled day.We ask visitors wear white coats. Customarily, one group before attends meeting, possible, processes prepare expect. If representatives meet briefly outside room start order orient them.Depending length agenda, accompanying introduce themselves meeting. Time permitting, themselves, talk specialties reasons becoming involved also encourage any brief questions close open-portion meeting.Feedback participating positive. Some argue exposing training premature areas Our experience contrary. Student comments appreciative, individuals indicated enlightening.In addition actual facilitates Washington, D.C., office FSMB, where legislative advocacy team. component expanded view advisory role boards.In shaping program, gleaned useful consider structure visitation programs: Long-term perspective. Teaching longitudinal multifaceted process. approached “one-and-done” episodic members, change narrative meetings.Preparation. Preparation important come visit. will visiting send agenda ahead time, links relevant documents, policies, draft legislation, items. Encourage reflect information relate current stage education. They engaged, fruitful.Faculty engagement. Strive engage leaders accompany learners. discuss why chose bring way, becomes part overall something ally.Buy in. Work hard get buy-in your staff. Though expected single champion emerge, particularly interested everyone help stave off potential board-visitation fade away board-member champion’s term expires.Emphasis Normalize ongoing discussion key program. Regularly invite open-session whenever opportunity arises.Scheduling. Scheduling easier than scheduling given latter’s busy schedules. access invited rounds noon conferences.Supplemental resources tools. Consider opportunities jurisdiction expose learners noted, able regularly offices FSMB hear its federal efforts emerging issues interest physicians. Present-day virtual reality SMBs.Overcoming challenges. Do daunted One hallmarks flexibility. While pandemic foster visits, transition long run join learn professionalism.The next include: Promotion. To date, advertised word mouth. year, planning formal invitation UME GME deans UME-GME directors, professionalism-related educators.Website additions. website updated. add specific embedded video detailing regulation.Feedback. plan formally collect feedback qualitative quantitative manner purpose improving future.