Quotes are taken from a message written by Matt to Ron on 08/03/96...
MS>While I don't doubt most any nurse who's been a nurse 
MS>10 years can probably "identify" common diseases as 
MS>readily as any doctor,
True.  Have often had a nurse say to me, as I came in for an 
appointment, "Sounds like you've got a cold."  I never filed a lawsuit 
when it turned out to be the flu instead.
MS>...it's _illegal_ to practice medicine without a license.
Totally different issue from a teacher saying to a parent, "You might 
want to have Johnny seen by the family doctor as he's hyperactive in 
class."  That's NOT practicing medicine nor is it prescribing medicine, 
as you go on to suggest in your message.
MS>And unless the school district employs a physician to do such work, 
MS>such a diagnosis would be practicing medicine without a license 
MS>(psychologists cannot prescribe drugs like Ritalin).
You've just joined two completely unrelated issues here...this is not 
about psychologists prescribing drugs.  However, our school nurse makes 
diagnoses all day long - some kids get sent back to class, some get sent 
to a doctor and some get sent home.  They can administer medications, 
though they can't prescribe them.
MS>And he's telling everyone what the _law_ is.
The issue is - can a teacher suggest to a parent that the child needs to 
see a physician because the kid is displaying symptoms of ADD?  What is 
the law?  Does it differ state by state?  What are the legal 
consequences?  Chapter and verse, please, NOT speculation.
Chuck
Chuck Beams
Fidonet - 1:2608/70
cbeams@future.dreamscape.com
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