Question: A physician at our most recent Complete Course for Medical Staff leaders asked:  can mid-level professionals (PAs and APRNs) serve on peer review committees?

Answer:  Under most state peer review protection statutes, Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants may be appointed to serve on Medical Staff peer review committees, and their service would not waive the state peer review privilege.  They may be able to provide valuable insight.  For example, the Credentials Committee may benefit from their knowledge of training programs.  Of course, they are subject to the same confidentiality considerations as physician members.

Join us for our workshop in Atlanta on May 1 (Thursday afternoon) and May 2 (Friday morning) to discuss the expanding role of these Advanced Practice Clinicians and how physicians, as leaders of the team, can design how the care team will function, how these professionals can best be oriented to hospital practice and much more.