Emerging licensing issues in Canada and the US.

Abstract

Health care is under scrutiny. Governments and regulators are examining the way in which health care is delivered within a framework of public accountability. Licensing authorities are faced with issues such as legislative reform, undefined scopes of practice, increased lay involvement in licensing, specialty licensing and the measurement of continuing competence. The protection of the public and preservation of the professionalism of self-regulation are the principles that should guide decision-making. While economics are behind much of the top-down initiatives to change, there is also a real grassroots demand for preventive services, choice of alternative therapies and increased responsiveness by healthcare providers to community needs for primary health care, which includes convenient times and locations, at costs affordable by everyone.