How Data and Evidence Can (and Should!) Inform Scope of Practice

April 9, 2018

Erin Fraher, PhD, MPP; Julie Spero, MSPH; Ryan Kandrack, BS; Katie Gaul, MA

Presentation to the North Carolina Institute of Medicine Legislative Health Policy Fellows

         

Presentation Overview

  • Our frame: objective, “data agitating” workforce researchers
  • Scope of practice (SOP) battles are emerging with increased frequency due to concerns about shortages, rising health care costs and access to care issues
  • Health professional regulation is a state function. This results in lots of variation between states
  • Strong stakeholder groups are involved in SOP battles, often focused on professional self-interest, not patients’ interests
  • A lack of evidence about SOP changes makes evaluation difficult
  • Health care is changing quickly, regulation needs to adapt
  • The way forward for North Carolina is more evidence-based SOP and regulation

         

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