Medical staff issues

Organized medical staffs must have heightened sensitivity to unique issues in medicine such as self-governance, staffing arrangements and the need for unity and activism. The AMA's Office of the General Counsel has become increasingly involved with the legal issues surrounding organized medical staffs, as demonstrated by the resources below.

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Medical peer review (PDF, 29KB)

EMTALA

Economic credentialing - issues and answers

• AMA's Organized Medical Staff conflict of interest guidelines (PDF, 49KB)

AMA protocol for medical staff self-governance assistance

Physician's Guide to Medical Staff Organization Bylaws, 3rd Edition
(PDF, 1.4MB) July 2006

Because medical staff bylaws are considered a contract and legally binding in the majority of states, it is extremely important that they are well designed and well written. This publication contains practical guidance on bylaws development, model bylaws language, information on emerging issues and recent trends in medical staff reengineering.  The Physician's Guide is available online free to AMA Members. Non-members can purchase access to the PDF for $30 by contacting AMA Press at (800) 621-8335, mentioning item # DL424505.