Analyzing Scope of Practice Issues in the Health Care Delivery

As your readings in Module 4-5 indicate, there is significant controversy over the scope of practice among health provider groups, such as physicians and non-physician practitioners, particularly in rural communities. Scope of practice issues often arise in the following areas, to name a few: Which clinicians can prescribe and/or administer medications Which clinicians can sign evaluations Which clinicians can be reimbursed for services provided Which clinicians can place lines, draw blood, or conduct other invasive procedures Licensing and credentialing Regulatory oversight Modification of scopes of practice during public health emergencies Who leads PCMH's Institution-specific regulations, policies, procedures Select one of these scopes of practice issues, or another of interest to you, and provide a detailed analysis of the issue within your state, including its impacts on provider organizations, communities, and the health care delivery system. After selecting one of the scope of practice issues and reviewing your grading rubric to fully understand how you will be evaluated, please analyze this issue in a 4-6-page essay that responds to the questions below. First, briefly describe how this issue exists at the state level. Describe how this compares with what is happening nationally. Next, provide an analysis of this issue: What are the positive and negative effects of this issue? What is the evidence of these effects? (See below for sources of evidence you will be expected to use.) Based on what you have learned in your course materials and literature search, what is the future of this issue? What direction(s) are we heading in as a health care delivery system? Finally, provide two evidence-based recommendations (findings from research literature, credible policy or governmental organizations, etc.) for leveraging the positive aspects of this issue, or for offsetting the challenges. Or, you might provide two recommendations for aspects you would want to change or to remain the same.