MBC warns physicians in its latest newsletter

Medical Board of California on July 1st,2010 sent out a warning as a part of their monthly newsletter to all physicians in California. It says international medical graduates who do not have a California license to practice medicine should not be involved in direct patient care. It continues that the IMGs can work only as medical assistant and not physician's assistant.The warning has been issued after the state medical board had received several complaints.

"Medical assistant is a certified or registered health care worker who performs the administrative and clinical tasks that keep the offices of licensed health practitioners running smoothly."
"Physician assistant is a healthcare professional licensed to practice medicine with supervision of a licensed physician"

The newsletter states "While the board understands the desire to assist the international graduate, letters written by physicians that indicate they have allowed the unlicensed international graduate to perform examinations and assist with patient care activities in their offices can result in a charge of aiding and abetting the unlicensed practice of medicine." - meaning letter of recommendations given to IMGs (without California medical license) for externships done in California can be used against the physician who gave it to you. The above holds true for US and Canadian graduates not licensed in California or formally enrolled in an ACGME approved physician assistant training program.

External Links

Medical Board of California
The July 2010 Newsletter

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