DR-2 Alabama Edition
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 Health Care.” The course is provided free of charge to all Alabama licensees and must be completed by December 31, 2025. All new licensees (excluding those limited licensees enrolled in a residency training program or a clinical fellowship) must complete this course within twelve months of obtaining licensure.
More information can be found on the ALBME/ALMLC’s website. For questions about the ALBME/ALMLC’s new mandatory education requirement, please contact the ALBME at cme@albme.gov or 334-242-4116.
For any technical concerns related to the course, please use the button below to contact PBI Education.
ALBME & ALMLC Requirements
In 2020, the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners (ALBME) and the Medical Licensure Commission of Alabama (ALMLC) convened a joint consultant group to study the increasing number of sexual misconduct and professional boundaries complaints brought before the ALBME/ALMLC and what measures should be taken to address the increase. In 2024, as part of their continuing efforts to protect the health and safety of Alabama patients as well as educate licensees and prevent violations of professional boundaries, the ALBME & ALMLC implemented mandatory professional boundaries education for all 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.
The above education requirements can be found in the ALBME’s rules linked below:
Alabama Administrative Rule 540-X-14-.02
Alabama Administrative Rule 540-X-7-.29
Alabama Administrative Rule 540-X-7-.62
Course Format
Self-paced online course combining online readings, interactive assignments, knowledge checks, and quizzes
Course Topics
- Professional boundaries (non-sexual and sexual)
- Regulatory power
- Recognizing power imbalances
- Dual relationships
- Workplace relationships
- Improper professional conduct, harassment, and incivility
- Human Trafficking
- Trauma-Informed Care
Course Agenda
Learning Objectives
- 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
Accreditation
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.