(a) A standardized written summary in layman’s language and in a language understood by patients shall be approved by the State Department of Health Services. The department may approve the use of an existing publication from a recognized cancer authority as the written summary. Commencing on January 1, 2003, and every three years thereafter, the department shall review its approval of the use of an existing publication from a recognized cancer authority as the written summary to ensure that the approved written summary comprises timely, new, and revised information regarding prostate cancer treatment options as the department determines is necessary. The written summary shall be printed or made available by the Medical Board of California to physicians and surgeons, concerning the advantages, disadvantages, risks, and descriptions, of procedures with regard to medically viable and efficacious alternative methods of treatment of prostate cancer. Physicians and surgeons are urged to make the summary available to patients when appropriate.
(b) The board shall post this summary on its Web site for public use.
(c) If the State Department of Health Services updates this summary, the board shall make the updated summary available to its licensees and update its Web site to contain the updated summary.
(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 531, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2003.)