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The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) has received a grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration's Office for the Advancement of Telehealth to pilot different models for reducing
licensure barriers affecting telehealth and multi-state medical practice. The grant funds implementation of two proposals developed by medical boards from the northeastern and western regions of the United States that seek to improve the sharing of licensure information across jurisdictions. A key element of the study is the development of a centralized data management system that gives participating boards immediate access to credentials that confirm physicians1' qualifications to practice reducing the burden faced by applicants seeking verification of their credentials in multiple states. This information-sharing system is expected to significantly reduce the amount of time and paperwork required to issue medical licenses and encourage more physicians to participate in telehealth networks. "With telehealth playing an increasingly important role in meeting the needs of underserved patient populations, the ability of physicians to be able to quickly obtain licensure in multiple jurisdictions has never been more important," said James N. Thompson, M.D., president and CEO of the FSMB. "This grant will allow us to find ways to streamline the licensure process while maintaining appropriate standards for public protection." The initiative is also expected to help facilitate the mobilization of physicians in the event of natural disaster or terrorism when there is a need for
medical boards to immediately share accurate physician information.
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