The Supreme Council of Health (SCH) has issued new regulations limiting the scope of practice of licensed non-specialist physicians in Qatar.
Physicians who do not hold a specialist licence will be permitted to practice only that branch of medicine in which they have a previous experience or hold a recognised post graduate qualification.
For instance, a general physician who has been practising paediatrics for several years will not be allowed to switch over to other branches of general medicine, explained Dr Jamal Rashid Al Khanji, director of the Medical Licensing Department at SCH.
The new rules, approved by the Permanent Licensing Committee in a recent meeting will be effective from March 1.
“There are several general physicians who have been practising specialisations such as paediatrics and obstetrics and gynaecology in Qatar for several years. Some of them may have failed to get a specialisation certificate in their field of expertise but still they are allowed to practise here based on their experience in that filed.
They can continue to do so but they will not be allowed to switch over to other branches of medicine, in which they have no practical experience,” Al Khanji told The Peninsula on Sunday.
As for new applicants seeking a licence as general practitioners, their previous experience for a minimum five years and their specialisations would be considered while defining their scope of practice.
The official said such physicians would be allowed to practice only under the supervision of a specialist and they were not authorised to run a clinic.
THE PENINSULA