Category: Physicians

The Relationship Between Required Physician Letters of Recommendation and Decreasing Diversity in Osteopathic Medical School Admissions

Some racial and ethnic groups are underrepresented in the medical field because they face unique barriers to admission to medical school. One admission requirement that can present a barrier for applicants is the physician letter of recommendation (PLOR). Undergraduate students report confusion with the application process and lack of mentorship to be two of their biggest challenges to becoming a doctor. It is especially challenging to those who already have limited access to practicing physicians. Therefore, we hypothesized that in the presence of a PLOR requirement, the diversity of students who apply and matriculate into medical school will be decreased.

 

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DEA Publishes Requirements for MATE Act One Time Requirement for Eight Hours of Substance Abuse Disorder Training

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently published the requirements for training for the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act. These requirements are tied to practitioners’ initial or renewal DEA registration starting June 27, 2023, and the only exception is a practitioner that is solely a veterinarian.

Under the MATE Act, practitioners must complete at least eight hours of training on opioid or other substance use disorders, as well as the safe pharmacological management of dental pain. The education requirement can be met in one of three ways:

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The Importance of Medical Truth in Advertising & Access to Physician-led Care

Do you want a less qualified individual performing your surgery or other invasive procedures, ordering x-rays and lab tests, and being responsible for telling the difference between a life-threatening condition and one that is less serious that shares similar symptoms?

If your answer is no, can you identify which of the following health care professionals complete medical school and residency training, qualifying them for unlimited medical licensure in every state?

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The X Waiver Is Officially Dead

But now, doctors will have to take substance use disorder training to get their DEA license. The Biden administration’s recent spending bill contained under-the-radar changes for addiction medicine, including eliminating the X waiver requirement for clinicians who treat opioid use disorder with medication-assisted treatment (MAT).

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Misunderstanding COVID Pandemic Law Waivers May Put Your Practice at Risk

Since the start of the COVID pandemic in 2020, we have seen the introduction of new regulations that apply to healthcare entities — and a relaxing of others. While some COVID-era changes may permanently remain in place, such as rules related to telemedicine, others are temporary or may have already ended. Healthcare providers need to be alert for temporary changes that are coming to an end and need to also confirm that they have properly understood any waivers or changes in the law on which they previously relied.

 

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Abortion Guidelines

Abortion Guidelines for Oklahoma osteopathic physicians were approved by the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners at its September 15, 2022, Special Board Meeting.

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More DOs Join Physician Ranks as Osteopathic Pipeline Heats Up

The number of doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) is enjoying a significant growth pattern. This year alone, 7300 osteopathic physicians are entering the workforce, and they make up more than 25% of the medical student population. The pipeline of future DOs is at an all-time high of 36,500 students, according to the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

 

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Putting the DO-MD Debate to Bed for Good

During a September 2021 interview on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, comedian Hasan Minhaj referred to doctors of osteopathic medicine, or DOs, as “off-brand doctors” compared with their MD counterparts. The medical community — MDs and DOs alike — hit back.

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