Doctor, Doctor, Gimme the News

[yendi]

Bill Frist's got a bad case of defrauding you.

Of course, this explains his ability to "diagnose" Terri Schiavo.

Comments

[jerel.livejournal.com]

This was my personal favourite line: "Dr. Frist regularly speaks with physicians on the cutting edge of medical research, reads numerous medical journal articles and attends medical meetings."

So if you talk to people about it, read about a subject, and go to meetings on a subject, that qualifies you for anything? I read articles about music, and I talk to the band and chorus teachers on a regular basis. Ooh, and I listen to music. Well bend me over and call me Charlie, I'm a musician!

[ex-bookkeep.livejournal.com]

There's an inconsistency in the reporting here. The AP report says the document "bears his signature," while a second AP report (at MSNBC (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14578640/)) says the renewal request was signed on Frist's behalf by his accountant. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if neither Frist, up to his armpits in Congressional mismanagement, nor his accountant were aware of a January '05 change to renewal requirements.

It's not a good thing, but it might just be a bureaucratic thing. Frist has, by all accounts, taken his medical standing very seriously. The Schiavo "diagnosis" was political grandstanding at its worst, but I stop short of accusing him of fraud.

[alexmegami]

If he (or his accountant - and why would his accountant have signing power for his medical license? That doesn't make sense to me) gave them paperwork indicating that he had completed the hours, but he hadn't, that indicates that at least ONE of them was aware that the hours were needed.

[alexmegami]

Courses or programs are supposed to follow guidelines set by the American Medical Association or the American Academy of Family Physicians. Approved training generally includes attending accredited conferences or workshops and seminars.

The medical meetings and "speaking with physicians" may fall under these guidelines.

[ex-bookkeep.livejournal.com]

The problem is here (http://www2.state.tn.us/health/Downloads/g6019279.pdf)

The only mention of continuing education is at the bottom, in the signing statement. In addition, the form does not indicate how much continuing education is needed. In January 2005, Frist was deep into Tsunami relief and the change in requirements probably did not even end up a blip on his radar screen.

As for why his accountant had signing power here, it's probably because his accountant took care of ensuring the fee was paid.

[alexmegami]

But the medical community as a whole has known that these requirements were coming into effect since 2002, and I imagine that they would have recieved mailings to that effect. I still don't think Frist gets a by, although I do agree that this should be more thoroughly investigated before anyone tosses accusations around.