Peach State clinicians who violate it risk censure from their respective professional credentialing boards.
Effective July 1, any clinician in Georgia who claims to be a medical specialist better have the credentials to back it up, under a new law signed this week by Gov. Brian P. Kemp.
Under Georgia Senate Bill 197, also known as the "Health Care Practitioners Truth and Transparency Act," a clinician's advertisements must include the clinician's names, and the specific license that the clinician holds for specific services.
The law also bans the use of the title "doctor" by nonphysicians in clinical venues. Advanced practice nurses and physician assistants with doctorates who identify themselves as "doctors" must make it clear in their advertising that they are not a medical doctor or a physician.
Georgia clinicians who violate the new law risk disciplinary action from their respective professional credentialing boards.
Michael W. Champeau, MD, FAAP, FASA, president of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, strongly supports the new law, which he says "makes it clearer for patients to make informed decisions because they know the qualifications of the professional providing their care."
"Every patient deserves to be certain of exactly who is performing and responsible for their care during a procedure or surgery," Champeau says.
“Every patient deserves to be certain of exactly who is performing and responsible for their care during a procedure or surgery.”
Michael W. Champeau, MD, president, American Society of Anesthesiologists
John Commins is a content specialist and online news editor for HealthLeaders, a Simplify Compliance brand.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Under Georgia Senate Bill 197, also known as the "Health Care Practitioners Truth and Transparency Act," a clinician’s advertisements must include the clinician’s names, and the specific license that the clinician holds for specific services.
The law bans the use of the title 'doctor' by nonphysicians in clinical venues. APNs and PAs with doctorates who identify themselves as 'doctors' must make it clear in their advertising that they are not a medical doctor or a physician.