It would change their relationships with doctors.
Annapolis, Md (KM) A bill passed by the 2024 Maryland General Assembly which changes the relationship between physician assistants and doctors is expected to go into effect later this year. Jennifer Grover, the Legislative Director for the Maryland Academy of Physician Assistants, says she was able to get this legislation passed with the help a physicians association known as Med Chi, and the Maryland Board of Physicians. “This changes our relationship with the physicians from a supervising physician to a collaborative arrangement that makes us equal members of the team,” she says.
The Governor is expected to sign the bill into law Thursday morning.
Under current law, physician assistants are under the supervision of a doctor. “It will allow PA’s to practice under their own education and training and experience versus having it delegated by the physicians,”: says Grover.
The MdAPA says under this new law, PA’s would be recognized for the role they play in caring for patients. “We want to have this collaboration with the physicians. So if there’s something that’s out of our training and experience, we have the ability to collaborate with them,” says Grover. “But for the most part, for every routine care, PA’s and physicians and nurse practitioners,, we all work around the same level.”
And with everything, like prescriptions, being written out on computer, Grover says this new law removes a number of barriers that get in the way. “PA legislation hasn’t change in the last 25 years. So we did need to modernize some of our transactions,” she says.
Grover says it took a long time to get this bill where it is now. “This is our third legislative year and we’re really glad that we were able work with the Board of Physicians and Med Chi to come up with a solution that’s going to work for everyone,” she says.
if the bill is signed into law on Thursday, it will take effect on October 1st, 2024.
One of the sponsors of the bill this year was Frederick County Delegate Ken Kerr.
By Kevin McManus