Iowa sees increase in number of newly licensed doctors

From the Iowa Board of Medicine:

DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Board of Medicine saw a 9.4 percent increase in number of new medical licenses issued in 2011, continuing a trend of significant growth in the number of physicians seeking licensure in Iowa.

The Board issued 776 new licenses in 2011, up from 709 in 2010, and a 23 percent increase over the 630 licenses issued in 2009, according to the agency's 2011 annual report, which was released April 19. The Board issued 630 new licenses in 2009 and 672 in 2008.

The increase in licensure applicants represents more physicians establishing office practice in the state and more non-resident physicians working on temporary assignment in Iowa, or who are using telecommunications from non-Iowa locations to practice their specialties such as radiology and pathology when they are diagnosing patients in Iowa.

The report shows 6,614 physicians practicing in Iowa and 647 physicians in Iowa residency training programs. There were 47 licensed acupuncturists.

At the end of 2011, the Board was administering 10,912 active physician licenses, which includes physicians who have an Iowa license, but their primary practice is in another state.

Other highlights of the new report:

• The number of complaint files opened in 2011 was 746, up from 657 in 2010.

• Charges were filed against 34, up from 27 in 2010.

• 93 physicians received informal, confidential reprimands from the Board.

• Civil penalties totaling $112,000 were imposed on 23 physicians.

The full report is available at http://medicalboard.iowa.gov/2011report.pdf