The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners announced Wednesday that the number of licensed professionals with whom a practicing Alabama physician can professionally collaborate is increasing from four to nine.

Examples of collaborators, or advanced practice providers, include certified registered nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives and physician assistants.

Physicians can collaborate with nine individuals or their full-time equivalents. The change was agreed to by the Alabama Board of Nursing in addition to the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners.

“This is a positive joint effort that recognizes patients’ interests are best served when they are treated by a physician-led team of health professionals. It will help ensure patients in Alabama receive safe, quality care,” said Dr. Mark H. LeQuire, Chairman of the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners, in an emailed statement.

According to the Board’s announcement, the changes will take effect in the middle of June.

Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: henry@new-yhn.local or on Twitter @HenryThornton95.