- Board of Registration in Medicine
Wakefield — On August 9, 2018, Governor Baker signed into law An Act relative to Alzheimer’s and related dementias in the Commonwealth (St.2018, c.220). This Act created an advisory council on Alzheimer's disease research and treatment, and set new responsibilities for physicians, including new requirements for completion of a course of training and education on the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with cognitive impairments, including, but not limited to, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
In particular, the Act created G.L. c. 112, § 12G½, which provides, in relevant part:
A physician registered under this chapter shall, upon an initial diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease of a patient, report the diagnosis to a family member or legal personal representative of the patient and provide to that family member or legal personal representative information and resources related to the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease; provided, however, that the physician shall only report the diagnosis and provide the information if: (i) the physician has first obtained the consent of the patient; or (ii) to the extent consistent with federal and state law or regulation, in the reasonable judgment of the physician, the patient is incapacitated or unable to provide consent.
To assist physicians in fulfilling their obligations under GL c112, § 12G½, the Board of Registration in Medicine offers guidance in Policy 21-05.