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Division Of Medical Quality Assurance Improves Processes To Build Florida’s Physician Workforce

By Florida Department of Health, Office of Communications

December 18, 2015

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Dec. 18, 2015

DIVISION OF MEDICAL QUALITY ASSURANCE IMPROVES PROCESSES TO BUILD FLORIDA'S PHYSICIAN WORKFORCE

 

Contact:
Communications Office
NewsMedia@flhealth.gov
(850) 245-4111

Tallahassee, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health’s Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) works diligently to ensure an adequate supply of well-trained physicians are available to meet Florida’s current and future health care needs.

“Florida is home to some of the best physicians and health care professionals in the entire world,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “The department is committed to maintaining the quality of licensed medical professionals so that people in our state receive the right care when they need it.”

Florida is currently the nation’s third most populous state. The 2015 Florida Demographic Estimating Conference estimates that the population will increase by almost 4 million by 2025, with individuals aged 60 and older accounting for most of the growth (55.4 percent). The demand for physicians providing specialized medical care geared toward the aging population in Florida will be higher than ever. MQA’s programs and process improvements make the licensing process easier for physicians and residents, and are aimed at encouraging well-trained health care professionals to come live and work in Florida.

Over the past year, MQA has improved the licensing process for and issued more licenses to medical doctors. According to the 2014-2015 Annual Report, MQA issued initial licenses and registrations to over 4,100 medical doctors and nearly 1,500 medical residents from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015, which is a combined 29 percent increase over the last four fiscal years.

In fiscal year 2014-2015, the Florida Board of Medicine reduced the processing time to issue a license for medical doctors to just over 85 days, which is a reduction of 21 days. MQA also offers streamlined, cost-effective licensing for military veterans and their spouses through programs like the Veterans Application for Licensure Online Response (VALOR) system and military fee waivers.

Working in conjunction with 22 boards and six councils, MQA licenses and regulates seven types of facilities and 200-plus license types in more than 40 health care professions. For more information, please visit www.flhealthsource.gov.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

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