What is the purpose of medical practice acts?
A medical practice act sets the rules for doctors in a state. It typically defines what qualifies as a medical practice subject to oversight by the state medical board, and it spells out the sanctions for misconduct and malpractice.AuthorityA state’s medical practice act is part of its code of laws; the act establishes a state medical board to enforce its provisions.DefinitionsThe central purpose of one of these acts is to describe what it means to practice medicine. It may say, for instance, that offering someone offhand medical advice does not amount to medical practice, but that writing a prescription for that person does qualify.SanctionsThe acts describe penalties for violating the rules of medical practice.
