Due to copyright restrictions, the document entitled AMA Scope of Practice Data Series - Audiology, referenced in this LegislativeAlert,  is not available for viewing.

Attention ADA Members,

Audiologists are among the healthcare professionals targeted under the American Medical Association's (AMA) growing Scope of Practice Partnership (SOPP) project, a two-year-old effort intended to unite doctors of medicine and osteopathy in opposition to the increasing use of “non-physician” practitioners.

ADA has recently gained access to an AMA Scope of Practice Data Series publication on audiology, released in April. The AMA’s Advocacy Resource Center created this document to serve as a mechanism for state medical societies, to foster their efforts to limit audiology’s scope of practice, to advocate against direct access for Medicare patients, and to advance other objectives that may encroach on the profession of audiology.

ADA has numerous concerns about both the content and the intent of this publication, including the publication’s portrayal of education, training and practice requirements for audiologists and the publication’s assertions regarding the potential impact of direct access for audiology.

The AMA Scope of Practice Data Series module on audiology is one of ten modules, which also include similar publications (released or to be released) on the following professions: dentistry, naturopathy, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, podiatry, psychology, along with nurse anesthetists and nurse practitioners.

ADA is actively working with other organizations in an effort to formulate a comprehensive and cohesive response to the AMA Scope of Practice Series module on audiology and the overarching intent by the AMA Advocacy Resource Center in releasing this publication and the rest of the series.

ADA embraces and promotes audiologists owning the profession through autonomous practice models—and remains dedicated to advancing practitioner excellence, high ethical standards, professional autonomy and sound business practices in the provision of quality audiological care. ADA members and leaders have a duty to diligently protect our profession and the patients that we serve from outside interests that will hinder the provision of the highest quality hearing healthcare. I encourage you to read this document at your earliest convenience, and to join ADA and aligned organizations in ongoing efforts to disseminate accurate information to legislative bodies, regulatory agencies and other key influencers regarding the practice of audiology.

Thank you,

Charles Stone, Au.D.
President
Academy of Doctors of Audiology