The Making of International Partnerships: IAMRA Dale L. Austin, MA Deputy Chair IAMRA Management Committee A merican A ssociation of O steopathic E xaminers S ummit January 7, 2006

The Beginning International conferences since 1994  International collaboration among medical regulators recognized as essential to public protection  United States (Washington, DC) – 1994  Australia (Melbourne) – 1996  South Africa (Cape Town) – 1998  United Kingdom (Oxford) – 2000  Exchanged ideas and discussed common problems affecting delivery and regulation of medical practice

Formation Conferences generated support for an International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities (IAMRA) Planning document approved in 2000 establishing an Interim Governing Committee and outlining steps to be taken to develop a permanent governance structure

Founding Members Australian Medical Council Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States General Medical Council – United Kingdom Medical Council of Ireland Medical Council of New Zealand Health Professions Council of South Africa National Board of Health and Welfare – Sweden

Purpose To support medical regulatory authorities worldwide in protecting the public interest by promoting high standards for physician education, licensure and regulation, and facilitating the ongoing exchange of information among medical regulatory authorities.

Goals Advocate and promote high standards Facilitate international collaboration Provide a forum for developing and sharing new approaches Encourage and support research, policy analysis and policy development Serve as information source

Establishment Formalized in June 2002 at the 5 th International Conference on Medical Regulation – Toronto, Canada FSMB serving as Secretariat Web site: Current membership: 72 organizations in 30 countries Tax-exempt corporation

Management Committee Officers  Chair  Prof. Thanyani Mariba, Chair, Medical and Dental Professions Board, Health Professions Council of South Africa  Deputy Chair  Dale Austin, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States

Management Committee (continued) Members-at-large  Dr. John Hillery, President, Medical Council of Ireland  Sue Ineson, Chief Executive Officer, Medical Council of New Zealand  Dr. Sunil Khattri, Registrar and Secretary, Delhi Medical Council (India)  Dr. Ossama Rasslan, Secretary General, Egyptian Medical Syndicate  Finlay Scott, Chief Executive and Registrar, General Medical Council (United Kingdom)

Current Areas of Focus Enhance membership in the Association Secure funding for specific projects and for helping low income member organizations send delegates to IAMRA meetings Establish IAMRA as an organization actively working to fulfill its responsibilities

Works in Progress Fast Track Credentials System (FTCS)  To quickly process licensure applications of medical practitioners who meet or exceed “gold standards.” Global collaborations  Le Conseil National de l’Ordre des Médecins Français (CEOM)  World Health Organization (WHO)  Working Group on CME/CPD Accreditation

Works in Progress (continued) 7 th International Conference – November 11-14, 2006, New Zealand Expansion of website  Active resource for IAMRA members  Clearinghouse for jurisdiction-specific information  Central repository for physician information  Working Group on CME/CPD members only section Physician migration study Thesaurus of medical regulatory terms

Works in Progress (continued) Bylaws Committee Exam Review Working Group Finance and Development Committee Projects to be initiated  Establish Nominating Committee  Model for unique identifiers  Facilitate a sustainable development model for third world nations

Promising Future IAMRA strives to be responsive to the needs and future direction of medical regulatory authorities worldwide Communication, participation and interaction by all medical regulatory authorities deemed paramount to the true success of this international collaboration

Dale L. Austin Sr. Vice President/COO Federation of State Medical Boards PO Box Dallas, TX Tel: Fax: