New Workgroup on Regulation of AI in Medical Practice
On May 19, 2026 the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) announced the formation of an FSMB Workgroup on the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence in the Practice of Medicine, a new initiative aimed at supporting state medical boards as they navigate the rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into patient care and the growing range of regulatory sandbox frameworks being proposed and implemented across the country.
The Workgroup is charged with developing a comprehensive report and drafting recommendations and/or model guidelines for use by state medical boards regarding the regulation of AI tools used in the practice of medicine. The Workgroup will place particular emphasis on AI tools that perform clinical functions with limited or no direct physician supervision. The effort builds on FSMB’s 2024 policy guidance on the incorporation of AI into clinical practice and comes at a time when companies are testing the boundaries of how AI may be used in diagnosis, prescribing, and other clinical functions.
Further information is available at: https://www.fsmb.org/advocacy/news-releases/
Enhancements to Nutrition Content on USMLE Step Exams
In June 2026, the United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®) program will implement two nutrition-related enhancements that will further highlight the importance of nutrition to health and chronic illness prevention. These updates include:
Content measuring knowledge and application of nutrition science will be enhanced across all three Step exams.
Performance feedback on the nutrition content area will be included in USMLE score reports for both examinees and medical schools.
As with other important content, the USMLE has long tested nutrition content through questions across multiple bodily systems and medical disciplines.
The USMLE program is committed to ensuring that the Step exams reflect evidence-based standards for core competencies and principles needed to provide safe and effective patient care. The program regularly reviews and modifies its content outline and test questions in response to evolving evidence and practice guidelines, as well as ongoing curricular changes at US medical schools.
Further information is available at: https://www.usmle.org/enhancements-nutrition-content-usmle-step-exams-coming-june-2026
Decline in US Overdose Deaths Threatened by Changing Street Drug Supply
A South Carolina overdose case revealed the growing presence of powerful new synthetic opioids in the US drug supply, including cychlorphine, which standard tests initially missed. Experts say today’s street drugs have become a constantly shifting mix of synthetic compounds, making them more unpredictable, potent, and often resistant to typical overdose treatments like naloxone.
Despite these dangers, overdose deaths have declined significantly since their 2023 peak, thanks to better treatment and prevention efforts. Still, researchers warn that the crisis remains volatile, as rapidly changing drug mixtures continue to pose serious and unpredictable risks.
Further information is available at: https://www.npr.org/2026/04/14/nx-s1-5783750/overdose-fentanyl-medetomidine-xylazine
Three-year Medical School Program to Address Workforce Shortages, Student Debt
Philadelphia’s Drexel University is joining a growing number of institutions across the country that offer accelerated three-year medical school programs. Cutting one year out of the traditional structure is aimed at making the degree more attainable and speeding up the physician pipeline to primary care and other specialties with workforce shortages.
Drexel will maintain its flagship four-year program and plans to launch the shorter version with its first students in the 2028-2029 academic year.
“A three-year program can present a more efficient pathway to becoming a doctor for eligible students without sacrificing the rigors of study and training,” said Dr. Leon McCrea, vice dean of educational affairs at Drexel College of Medicine.
Further information is available at: https://whyy.org/articles/drexel-university-three-year-medical-school-workforce-shortages-student-debt/
FSPHP Survey Results Published
In 2025, the FSPHP conducted a Community Engagement Survey of more than 2,000 stakeholders, including non-member newsletter subscribers and event followers, to better understand how the organization can support the healthcare workforce. The results were summarized in FSPHP’s Spring 2026 Newsletter.
Respondents emphasized the need for practical, actionable educational resources that translate policy guidance into everyday operational tools and templates. Survey participants also encouraged FSPHP to strengthen its public advocacy efforts by increasing transparency about the physician health program process and helping reduce the stigma associated with seeking professional support and treatment.
The survey also highlighted the importance of broadening and diversifying the FSPHP community by engaging a wider range of healthcare disciplines, backgrounds, and perspectives from across the US and internationally. In response, FSPHP plans to expand its educational offerings, diversify presenters and membership, and more openly share stories of physician health recovery. The organization also encouraged deeper community involvement through membership and participation in upcoming educational conferences focused on these evolving priorities.
Further information is available at: https://www.fsphp.org/assets/NEWSLETTERS/FSPHP%20PHYSICIAN%20HEALTH%20NEWS%20-%20SPRING%202026.pdf
