Scope of Practice Research Conference

Background

Scope of Practice laws, abbreviated SOP, are state regulatory mechanisms that define what roles a non-physician may perform, and whether those roles require a collaboration agreement or supervision. These mechanisms are often designed by legislators and affect several occupations, including Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Psychologists, Dental Hygienists, and Pharmacists. Expanding SOP may include allowing trained providers to prescribe medication, as in the case of Pharmacists and Nurse Practitioners, or the ability to order diagnostic testing, refer patients to specialists, develop treatment plans, or take x-rays. While providers receive similar training regardless of the state in which they received their education, their allowed tasks and duties may differ drastically, depending on location. In states with restrictive SOP, practitioners may be barred from providing services independently, in an effort to ensure the quality and safety of services. Yet prohibitive and burdensome SOP restrictions have been found to cause shortages of providers for at-risk, marginalized, and rural communities without increasing safety for the patients.

Possible Topics

1. How do Scope of Practice laws influence measures of cost, quality, and access to healthcare services?
2. How do SOP laws influence political economy in the design and enforcement of SOP laws?
3. How may SOP laws influence migration and mobility of healthcare providers between communities?
4. How do SOP laws influence community and population health outcomes?
5. Although much SOP law research tends to be focused on healthcare, how may SOP laws influence other industries (such as construction or other non-medical services)?

Research Proposal Submission Details

Please submit your abstract and CVs.

Proposals should be submitted by February 29, 2024 to Alicia Plemmons at Alicia.Plemmons@mail.wvu.edu. Early proposal submission is encouraged, as proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and approvals will allow authors to begin work early. Submissions after February 29, 2024 may be accepted if space at the roundtable and budget permit.

Research Roundtable

Completed paper drafts are due February 29, 2024 but need not be in polished or publishable form. Authors will present their papers at the research roundtable that will be held on July 19, 2024. Each paper author will be expected to formally comment on others’ papers. We will cover the cost of hotel accommodation and reasonable travel expenses to the roundtable.