Can a Licensed Physician Open a Clinic at Home?
Can a physician assistant with a practicing certificate open a clinic at home?
According to Clause 3, Article 26 of Decree 109/2016/ND-CP:
- The person responsible for technical expertise at a specialized clinic must meet the following conditions:
- Be a doctor with a practicing certificate appropriate to the specialty for which the clinic is registered.
- Have at least 54 months of experience in the relevant specialty.
Additionally, for the specific specialized clinics listed below, the person responsible for technical expertise must meet these conditions:
+ Rehabilitation clinic: Must be a doctor with a practicing certificate in physiotherapy or rehabilitation;
+ Drug addiction treatment and support clinic: Must be a psychiatrist, a general doctor with a certificate in psychiatry, or a traditional medicine practitioner with a certificate in traditional medicine-based drug addiction support;
+ HIV/AIDS treatment clinic: Must be an infectious disease specialist or a general doctor and hold a certificate of training in HIV/AIDS treatment;
+ Nutrition clinic: Must be a nutrition specialist or a general doctor with a specialty certificate in nutrition;
+ Cosmetic surgery clinic: Must be a specialist in plastic surgery or cosmetic surgery;
+ Andrology clinic: Must be an andrology specialist or a general doctor with a specialty certificate in andrology.
=> Thus, as per the above regulations, to open a clinic at home, one must be a doctor with a practicing certificate. In the case of a physician assistant with a practicing certificate, they are not permitted to open a clinic at home.
How long is the practice period required for a physician assistant to be eligible for a practicing certificate?
Based on Point b, Clause 1, Article 24 of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 2009, the regulations are as follows:
Practice Confirmation
- Individuals with medical-related professional degrees granted or recognized in Vietnam must undergo a period of practice at a medical examination and treatment facility before being granted a practicing certificate, specifically:
a) 18 months of practice at a hospital, for doctors;
b) 12 months of practice at a hospital, for physician assistants;
c) 09 months of practice in a hospital with an obstetrics department or at a maternity home, for midwives.
d) 09 months of practice at a medical examination and treatment facility, for nurses and technicians.
Therefore, regarding the practice period confirmation, 12 months of hospital practice is required for physician assistants to be granted a practicing certificate later.
Respectfully!
