November 2001 • POST-ASSEMBLY EDITION
Delegates take action on behalf of new FPs, IMGs, nurses
The Congress of Delegates ap-proved Bylaws amendments and asked for collaboration with nursing organizations.
President-elect Warren Jones, M.D., left, congratulates delegate Ashok Kumar, M.D., of Tyler, Texas, and alternate delegate Crystal Goveia, M.D., of Toledo, Ohio, the first IMG representatives to be seated in the Congress.New family physicians. Those in practice for up to seven years won their bid for a seat on the AAFP Board of Directors. Each year, the new physicians' constituency at the National Conference of Special Constituencies will elect a candidate for the Board, and the Congress will review the person's credentials before welcoming him or her to the Board.
International medical graduates. The IMGs now have a voice in the Congress, the Academy's highest decision-making body. Delegates testifying on behalf of the Bylaws amendment on slotted seats for IMGs said that between 11 percent and 15 percent of AAFP members are IMGs.
Nursing shortage. The AAFP Board will offer assistance to national nursing organizations in addressing the nursing shortage crisis.
Dale Moquist, M.D., of Bryan, Texas, vice chair of the AAFP delegation to the AMA, told delegates this sign of the times: At one hospital in Moquist's area, the director of nursing -- unable to find staff in this country -- went to the Philippines to recruit about 20 nurses.
Pronouncement of death by nurses. The Academy will work with the American Nurses' Association to establish model state legislation to permit a registered nurse to collaborate with a physician to pronounce a patient dead if the physician is not present.
The vote on this measure was 100 21, following heated debate. "When we're fighting scope of practice issues all over the country, we need to keep this responsibility with family physicians," said delegate George Shannon, M.D., of Columbus, Ga.
"Pennsylvania has this legislation," said alternate delegate Tom Weida, M.D., of Hershey, Pa. "The nurse pronounces the patient dead, and the doctor certifies the cause of death. The process works especially well when hospice is involved."
FP Report is published by the AAFP News Department.
Copyright © 2001 by American Academy of Family Physicians.
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