BILL NUMBER: AB 1094	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Conway

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2009

   An act to add Section 2005 to the Business and Professions Code,
relating to medicine.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1094, as introduced, Conway. Medical Board of California:
physician and surgeon well-being.
   Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, provides for the licensure
and regulation of physicians and surgeons by the Medical Board of
California and vests the board with certain responsibilities.
   This bill would authorize the board to establish a program to
promote the issues concerning physician and surgeon well-being and
would require the program to include, among other things, an
examination and evaluation of existing wellness education for medical
students, postgraduate trainees, and licensed physicians and
surgeons and an outreach effort to promote physician and surgeon
wellness. The bill would require the program to be developed within
existing resources unless otherwise authorized in the annual Budget
Act.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) One element in the protection of the health care consumer can
be achieved by having healthy physicians and surgeons care for their
patients.
   (b) Various studies document that stress factors in a physician
and surgeon's job can significantly impact the effectiveness of
patient care.
   (c) Studies indicate that physician stress has increased
dramatically over the past 20 years, leading to physician and surgeon
burnout or discontent, resulting in early retirement from practice
or the pursuit of a different career.
   (d) Physician and surgeon's health and well-being is essential in
order to maintain an adequate supply of physician and surgeons for
the health care patients of California.
   (e) In light of these findings, it is essential that the Medical
Board of California is given the authority to create a committee to
provide broad oversight of these issues and address ways to encourage
the continued well-being of physician and surgeons.
  SEC. 2.  Section 2005 is added to the Business and Professions
Code, to read:
   2005.  (a) The board may establish a program to promote the issues
concerning physician and surgeon well-being. This program shall
include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
   (1) An examination and evaluation of existing wellness education
for medical students, postgraduate trainees, and licensed physicians
and surgeons.
   (2) A series of relevant articles published in the board's
newsletter.
   (3) A consolidation of resources that promote physician and
surgeon wellness.
   (4) An examination of incentives to encourage physicians and
surgeons to become knowledgeable regarding the issues concerning
their well-being.
   (5) An outreach effort to promote physician and surgeon wellness.
   (b) The program described in subdivision (a) shall be developed
within existing resources unless otherwise authorized in the annual
Budget Act.