Scope of Practice

Access to quality, timely, appropriate and affordable health care is paramount to ensuring and preserving the health of Virginians. Physicians and other members of the healing arts professions make significant contributions to patient care. The Medical Society of Virginia contends that in order to maintain the highest level of quality care, there should be a physician responsible for coordinating and determining the medical services rendered.

Each year MSV is approached by a number of ancillary health care providers requesting support in efforts to expand their scope of practice. In 2009 we expect legislation to be introduced to change nurse practitioners’ scope. Legislation will be offered by the naturopaths to establish licensure requirements for the practice of naturopathy in the commonwealth. MSV is committed to working with other health care providers to assess the impact on patient care and quality before offering our support or opposition.

Resources

2009 Legislative Agenda (PDF)

2009 Licensure of Naturopaths Backgrounder (PDF)