Relating To The Practice Of Medicine.
The amendments proposed by HB 945 are intended to enhance the scope of practice for both medical and osteopathic physicians, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive care across different treatment modalities. Additionally, by emphasizing telehealth, the bill recognizes the importance of adapting to the evolving healthcare landscape, particularly in light of recent events that have highlighted the necessity for remote medical services. This could lead to an increase in the number of services available to residents in Hawaii and improve overall public health outcomes through greater access to care.
House Bill 945 aims to clarify and modernize the definition of the practice of medicine as outlined in Section 453-1 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. The bill focuses on providing uniformity between the practices of medical physicians and osteopathic physicians. It does so by explicitly including of various modalities in the definition of medical practice, notably telehealth, which reflects a growing trend in healthcare towards remote services. This addition recognizes and legitimizes remote consultations as a valid form of medical practice, thereby expanding accessibility for patients who may have difficulty visiting a physician in person.
While the bill seems to have broad support in terms of enhancing access to healthcare, potential points of contention may arise around the training and qualifications required for practitioners in telehealth. Stakeholders may express concerns regarding the adequacy of training for physicians transitioning to include telehealth services in their practice. Additionally, some community members might question the implications of broadening definitions and whether it could lead to a disparity in the quality of care provided between traditional in-person consultations versus telehealth services.