Question

1. Describe the credentialing and regulation of health professionals (Chapter 7) and briefly discuss the following health care occupations:
   1. Physicians
   2. Nurses – RNs, LPNs, NPs,
   3. Dentists
   4. Pharmacists
   5. Podiatrists
   6. Chiropractors
   7. Optometrists

Answer 1

Credentialing is the process of establishing the qualifications of licensed medical professionals and assessing their background and legitimacy. Purpose of Credentialing

1. To ensure staff competence.

2. To ensure that staff members perform only procedures and services for which they are qualified

Credentialing and regulations of health professionals include verification of their degree certificates , medical /nursing /dental registration at state level . Verification of previous working experience and institution .

# The Credentialing Process include :-

1. Physician requests application must be done at least 90 days prior to expiration of current license

2. MSSP (Medical Staff Service Professional) sends application and other forms (this could be You!)

3. Preliminary Screening Done

a. verify;

1. education & training

2. Liability Insurance

3. Current Licensure (verify with the

state)

4. Clinically Competence

5. Description of health status

4. Query NPDB (required by law to obtain

report from NPDB on all physicians)

DEA check

5. Verified Information sent to department

Chairmen for review

6. Credentials Committee of medical Staff

Reviews

7. Sent to Medical Executive Committee

8. Sent to Governing Board who decides

and grants credentials.

Description of health care occupations :-

Physicians - A physician, medical practitioner, medical doctor, or simply doctor, is a professional who practises medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining, or restoring health through the study, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of disease, injury, and other physical and mental impairments

Nurses - a nurse is a trained , skilled and licensed medical professional who takes care of the people who are sick .

Dentists - a person who is qualified to treat diseases and other conditions that affect the teeth and gums, especially the repair and extraction of teeth and the insertion of artificial ones

Pharmacists - a person who is professionally qualified to prepare and dispense medicinal drugs.