The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission recently selected the Rhode Island-based continuing medical education management platform designer My MOC Inc., doing business as Mocingbird, to develop, implement and maintain an Enhanced Physician Portal.
The portal is meant to make it easier for physicians who want to practice in multiple states to obtain the necessary licenses and will serve more than 16,000 physicians in the commission’s 41 member states. Along with this, streamlining the process for physicians to get licenses in multiple states will improve patients’ access to care across the country.
Dr. Ian Madom, CEO and co-founder of Mocingbird, spoke about the portal and how it will affect physicians and patients.
PBN: How is Mocingbird uniquely qualified to develop the IMLCC's new Enhanced Physician Portal?
MADOM: Mocingbird's unique qualification for developing the IMLCC's Enhanced Physician Portal lies in our deep understanding of the challenges faced by health care professionals. Founded by practicing physicians, our team intimately grasps the intricacies of the medical licensing process.
Our platform, known for automating clinician certification compliance, employs a patented rules engine that streamlines complex requirements into manageable tasks. This experience positions us as the ideal partner for the IMLCC, enabling us to leverage our expertise to create a user-centric, comprehensive and fully automated portal tailored to the specific needs of physicians practicing in multiple states.
PBN: What are some of the challenges physicians seeking multistate licenses face?
MADOM: Physicians pursuing licenses in multiple states often encounter a myriad of challenges. These include navigating varying state-specific regulations, enduring a cumbersome and time-consuming application process, and grappling with administrative complexities. The disjointed nature of the current system can lead to delays, increased costs and administrative burdens, hindering physicians from efficiently contributing their skills across different geographic areas.
PBN: How will this technology help address those challenges?
MADOM: The Enhanced Physician Portal will consolidate the licensing process into a single, automated platform so physicians can experience a more efficient and user-friendly application process. Leveraging Mocingbird’s robust and user-friendly technology, the portal will streamline multistate licensing requirements, creating even more efficiency.
With the creation of the portal, the IMLCC seeks to make it easier for physicians who want to practice in multiple states to acquire the appropriate licenses, thus increasing access to medical care in underserved communities, expanding the use of new medical technologies and improving the continuum of care for out-of-state patients, among other benefits.
PBN: How will the EPP help improve patients' access to care?
MADOM: The Enhanced Physician Portal is designed to enhance patients' access to care by facilitating the smooth and rapid acquisition of multistate licenses. By expediting the licensing process, physicians can more readily practice across state borders, increasing their availability to patients in underserved areas. This improved access to health care professionals can lead to better continuity of care for out-of-state patients, reduced wait times and increased utilization of medical expertise where it is most needed.
PBN: As a practicing surgeon, how have you seen technology evolve to help streamline administrative processes in the health care industry?
MADOM: Over the past two decades, we've witnessed a significant transformation in how technology influences the efficiency of health care organizations. Initially, about 15-20 years ago, the focus was primarily on electronic medical records. Unfortunately, these systems were not developed with the clinician in mind; they were primarily billing systems that documented services rather than enhancing the quality of care.
The subsequent shift, around 10-12 years ago, marked a move toward patient-reported outcomes systems. The industry began exploring how to leverage these systems to deliver more consistent care. Simultaneously, there was an increased emphasis on drilling down into value-based purchasing metrics, utilizing software to sift through data and improve decision-making processes.
The last five to eight years have seen a substantial rise in tech-enabled companies aiming to reduce administrative burdens. From clinical decision support to scheduling efficiency and the value analysis of products brought into the organization, technology has become a crucial ally in streamlining various facets of health care operations.
In recent years, there has been a heightened awareness of the medical staff office, emphasizing the goal of reducing the burden on clinicians and administrators. This focus recognizes the multitude of ongoing requirements that practitioners and administrators must manage to simply maintain the ability to perform their jobs.
Adapting to technology has become not just a preference but a necessity. It is a vital component in improving overall operational efficiency, reducing administrative complexities and enhancing the quality of patient care. The health care system's ability to embrace and integrate these technological advancements is paramount for its resilience and effectiveness in meeting the evolving demands of modern health care.
(UPDATE changes the number of physicians to 16,000 in the second paragraph.)
Katie Castellani is a PBN staff writer. You may contact her at Castellani@PBN.com.
