Olympians Trust International Doctors: Can They Help Reduce The U.S. Physician Shortage?
When Carly Margulies drops into the Olympic halfpipe finals for Team USA after more than two years away from competition due to injury, she’ll be sporting not only Team USA gear, but also the scars from an astonishing seven knee surgeries. Teammate Chris Mazdzer will defend his 2018 Olympic luge silver coming off shoulder surgery too. Doctors have helped restore knees, ankles, and shoulders for dozens of Team USA’s Ralph Lauren-donning competitors.
These athletes could have flown to Finland’s Mehilainen Sports Hospital for surgery with Dr. Lempainen or his world-renowned colleagues. World-famous athletes seek treatment there each year. But Team USA can’t hire Dr. Lempainen to treat its athletes at team headquarters in Park City. Before he treated anyone in Utah, the state medical board would require that he repeat orthopedic residency, even though Dr. Lempainen could travel with Team USA and perform these same procedures at the Olympic village hospital.
States should allow qualified foreign-trained physicians to practice medicine without repeating residency. The current rules mean states regularly turn away qualified doctors serving patients overseas. Experienced doctors can help reduce America’s growing physician shortage, lighten the burden on a stretched medical workforce, and improve overall patient care in the United States.
Read the full commentary in Forbes.
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