This course is provided at no charge

Link to online course

History: In 2020, a joint consultant group of the Board and Commission studied the increasing number of sexual misconduct and professional boundaries complaints against Alabama medical practitioners and what measures should be taken to address this increase. As part of the continuing effort to protect the health and safety of patients and educate licensees, mandatory professional boundaries education is being implemented for all current and future physicians, physician assistants, and anesthesiologist assistants licensed in Alabama. The only licensees exempted from this requirement are limited licensees who are enrolled in a residency training program or a clinical fellowship.

Current Licensees: Effective January 2025, all actively licensed physicians, physician assistants, and anesthesiologist assistants are required to complete the two-hour on-demand course provided by PBI Education entitled “Navigating Professional Boundaries in Medicine.” The course is provided free of charge to all Alabama licensees and must be completed by December 31, 2025.

Navigating Professional Boundaries in Medicine

After completing this activity, learners will be able to:

•              Demonstrate appropriate clinical decision making by minimizing negative influences

•              Adhere to professional boundaries with resultant improvements in physician-patient interaction, which can improve clinical outcomes

•              Become aware of the early warning signs and personal risk factors indicative of ethical dilemmas and boundary problems

•              Acquire a working understanding of the Formula© in order to reduce their own violation potential for ethical and policy transgressions

•              Understand how to create their own individual Protection Plan to maintain appropriate boundaries

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine and Professional Boundaries, Inc. The University of California, Irvine School of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of California, Irvine School of Medicine designates these live activities each for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in this activity.

For questions about this mandatory education requirement for Alabama physicians, physician assistants, and anesthesiologist assistants, please contact the Board’s CME department at cme@albme.gov.