From Images to Impact: Advocacy in Action

Purpose: Many states have granted non-physician practitioners (NPPs) ‘full practice authority’, essentially the unsupervised practice of medicine by nonphysicians. This may include the ability to order, perform, and interpret diagnostic imaging. As nursing advocacy groups pursue similar legislative changes in additional states, the need for advocacy at the state level has become imperative. We will examine measures taken by radiological societies to oppose legislation expanding the clinical responsibility for NPPs without appropriate physician oversight.

Methods/Materials: Literature review was performed to identify legislation expanding the scope of practice for NPPs, particularly nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs). Information regarding physician advocacy was obtained through articles, position statements, radiological society newsletters, and news releases published on the American College of Radiology (ACR) website.

Results: We identified proposed bills that would allow the expansion of independence among NPPs. In Michigan, HB4399 attempted to allow NPs to order and interpret imaging studies. The ACR partnered with the Michigan Radiological Society to oppose this bill, including submission of a formal letter expressing opposition. Oklahoma and Wisconsin radiological societies successfully opposed similar legislation that would have granted independence to NPs, resulting in vetoes of SB458 and SB145, respectively. These radiological Societies both received support through the ACRA Scope of Practice Fund grant. New York also received grant funds, which supported an additional lobby day and virtual meeting with the New York State Commissioner of Health regarding similar legislation.

Conclusions: Scope of practice continues to be an ongoing legislative battle in multiple states. Radiological societies have assumed a key role in protecting patients by opposing legislation that would enable inappropriate scope creep and allow for imaging interpretation by NPPs. Utilizing key examples we illustrate the effects of state-level advocacy, emphasizing the importance of our professional community to uphold the diagnostic standard and ensure high-quality patient care.