Dear All, My name is Aileen Emerling. I am a newly certified IBCLC. I have been following the recent discussion about whether IBCLCs are med professions with great interest. In Japan, where I live, until this year all of practicing IBCLCs also held other degrees as medical professionals. I am trying to establish the first private practice here without having the additional MD or CNM as other credentials as well. In my own case, it is relevant to know whether the IBCLC is considered as someone who giving medical advice . I have looked for legal help and used the following documents to help explain/clarify my situation. The IBCLC Scope of Practice and Education Guidelines, Standards of Practice for IBCLC Lactation Consultants, and the Code of Ethics. I have also referred to the relevant sections in Core Curriculum for the Lactation Consultant Practice ( See part 10). Perhaps the questions that are really arising here is "what" defines a medical professional? Are the terms medical professional and health care professional interchangeable? Do other medical professionals have a clear definition of the role of the IBCLC? I would love to hear other's feelings about this. For example, We cannot as IBCLCs diagnose conditions, nor can we script medicines. We are part of the allied health team. When we work with a mother baby dyad our clinical practice includes Assessment, Plan, Implementation, and Evaluation. (See Standards of Practice) Additionally, "Recognize and exercise professional judgement within the limits of her/his qualifications. This principle includes seeking counsel and making referrals to appropriate providers. Unless the IBCLC has other health professional qualifications and is legally entitled to act within the parameters of those qualifications, he or she must keep a clear distinction between the "mechanical" management of breastfeeding problems and possible medical ramifications" (Core Curriculum for LC Practice p 520) My question to all is- do you feel that the mechanical management of breastfeeding problems constitutes giving practicing medicine or medical advice? "An IBCLC is defined as: "The International Board Certified Lactation Consultant is a health care professional whose scope of practice encompasses working collaboratively with primary care providers to assure appropriate clinical/practical management of breastfeeding and lactation in order to protect promote and support breastfeeding. Such practice includes providing education, counseling and clinical/practical management to allow breastfeeding to be seen as the expected way in which healthy newborns are to be fed as well as to prevent and solve breastfeeding problems. Education efforts extend to the community as well as to breastfeeding families and health care colleagues. The role of the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant is dynamic and changes as the theory and practice of breastfeeding support and lactation management evolve to incorporate research findings and to adapt to societal needs. Practice is based on the principles outlined in this document, on the Standards of Practice for IBCLC Lactation Consultants and on the International Board of Lactation Consultants Examiners (IBLCE) Code of Ethics" (The International Board Certified Lactation Consultant: Scope of Practice and Education Guidelines p. 1) The Scope of Practice can be helpful for us to clearly define what we are trying to do. Perhaps sharing this document will be helpful when there is a question fo ul;timately- who are we and what are we qualified to do. But again if I may come back to my question- do you feel this constitues practicing medicine or giving medical advice? Do you feel that a "medical professional" is different then a "health care professional" "Professional Role Competencies 13. Interprets and promotes the role of the IBCLC to consumers, healthcare professionals, and the community. 14. Develops uses and maintains collaborative relationships with health care professionals to strengthen the role of the IBCLC." (same citation p 9)" For myself these quote above is very relevant, because for those of us in countries with a small number of IBCLCs, what we do- or do not do, how effective we are in our own roles, will help to pave the way for future IBCLCs to be respected and accepted within the medical community. I apologize that this post is so long. But I look forward to continuing discussion on this. Thanks as always for your support. Take Care Aileen Emerling IBCLC Tokyo Japan *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html