The quality of your health care depends on the qualifications of your health care professionals.
The quality of your health care depends on the qualifications of your health care professionals.
Through thousands of hours of rigorous training, Hoosier physicians become prepared and qualified to lead teams of medical professionals in the delivery of patient care. Under the leadership of highly trained physicians, medical teams collaborate — sharing decisions and information as they work together to provide the highest level of care for patients.
That’s why qualifications matter in health care.
And that’s why a statewide coalition of medical associations and specialty societies has come together — uniting physicians, residents in training and medical students to advocate for physician-led health care in the Hoosier State that protects patients from harm, increases access to quality care and controls overall health care spending.
Health Care Teams Need Leaders
Every professional on a health care team has a unique and valuable role to play that is defined by their education and training — but every health care team needs a leader. Physicians bring the highest level of training and preparation. Because of this, they’re fully equipped to guide other members of the team.
Meanwhile, nonphysician practitioners are focused on providing treatment that is within their scope of practice and consistent with their education and training.
A primary or specialty care physician is an M.D. (Doctor of Medicine)
or D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine).
WHO'S ON YOUR TEAM
Members of the health care team who are not physicians include (but are not limited to):
-
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
-
Nurse Midwife (APRN)
-
Nurse Practitioner (APRN)
-
Optometrist
-
Pharmacist
-
Physician Assistant
-
Psychologist
Medical School Matters
To prepare future physicians (MDs and DOs), the four-year medical school curriculum focuses on fundamental principles of medicine and its underlying scientific concepts. Clinical sciences studies encompass all organ systems, including the important aspects of preventive, acute, chronic, continuing, rehabilitative and end-of-life care.
This wide-ranging curriculum prepares medical students to enter any field of graduate medical education upon graduation. During medical school, students receive a comprehensive education in the classroom and in laboratories, where they study the biological, chemical, pharmacological and behavioral aspects of the human condition.
This period of intense study is supplemented by two years of patient care rotations through different specialties, during which medical students assist licensed physicians in patient care. During clinical rotations, medical students continue to develop their clinical judgment and medical decision-making skills through direct experience managing patients in all aspects of medicine.
Preparation for Practice
CLINICAL HOURS REQUIRED
in Preparation for Practice
4
3 to 8
years of medical school
years of residency training and fellowship in a medical or surgical specialty
7 to 12
years of preparation for practice
+
YEARS OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
for Hoosier Physicans
Given the education and training required to become a doctor, it’s no surprise that Hoosier patients want their health care to be led by a physician who is highly educated, fully trained and held to rigorous standards for patient safety.
Hoosiers Trust Indiana Physicians
HERE'S WHAT HOOSIER PATIENTS BELIEVE ABOUT THEIR PHYSICIAN-LED, TEAM-BASED HEALTH CARE:
83%
believe physicians and nurse practitioners need to work together to give patients the care they need.
76%
believe physicians’ training ensures patient safety during medical complications and emergencies.
73%
believe nurse practitioners treating patients with one or more chronic diseases should be overseen by physicians.
76%
of those over 40 years old believe physicians should have primary responsibility for coordinating patient care.
Our Mission. Your Health.
Our mission is to ensure health care in Indiana continues to be led by physicians and is delivered with a team-based approach for the benefit of the patient.
PROTECT PATIENTS FROM HARM
When nonphysicians are permitted to perform services that are beyond their education or training, patient health and safety can be threatened.
We believe patients deserve physician-led care with a team of medical professionals who work together, each according to their education and training.
INCREASE ACCESS
TO QUALITY CARE
Physicians are the most qualified medical professionals and provide the highest level of health care trusted by Hoosier patients.
We believe patients benefit when Indiana invests in graduate medical residency programs that create more fully trained physicians for Hoosier communities.
CONTROL HEALTH CARE SPENDING
Expanding the authority of nonphysicians in other states has increased the cost of care due to inappropriate prescribing, unnecessary referrals to specialists and orders for diagnostic imaging.
We believe patients are best served by physician-led teams to deliver the most appropriate care.
OUR COALITION INCLUDES:
Indiana Academy of Dermatology | Indiana Academy of Family Physicians | Indiana Academy of Ophthalmology |
Indiana Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians | Indiana Chapter of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians | Indiana Chapter of the American College of Surgeons | Indiana Neurological Society | Indiana Orthopaedic Society | Indiana Osteopathic Association | Indiana Psychiatric Society | Indiana Radiological Society | Indiana Society of Anesthesiologists | Indiana State Medical Association