Summary for the April 24, 2006, MRB Operations Teleconference

Summary

Larry Minor, Director of the Office of Bus and Truck Standards and Operations and Designated Federal Official for the MRB, opened the meeting, welcoming the MRB members and explaining that the MRB is an important part of the Agency's medical program. The goal, he said, is to update the medical standards and guidelines and to make them evidence based. Board members introduced themselves, addressing their areas of expertise. FMCSA and MRB members discussed the mission and goals of the Board, the medical standards, and the decision framework for mapping out a work plan.

During their two year terms, these doctors will look at the medical standards and make recommendations for revising, updating, eliminating, or adding standards. The five were selected because they have special expertise in medical standards now under review.

FMCSA reported it has nine broad standards and four specific-for diabetes, epilepsy, hearing, and vision. All the medical standards apply to operators of commercial motor vehicles (CMV), approximately 6 to 7 million drivers. The MRB charter, sent to members and to be posted on the public web site, describes the goals of the MRB and the roles and duties of MRB members.

To support the work on the medical standards, Medical Research Panels are being formed to address specific issues. Once they have researched issues relevant to a medical standard, MRB members will review the results and develop recommendations. The MRB is the oversight body that incorporates information from the research panels in guidance for improving medical standards. Medical Research Panels use some 15 databases to retrieve information and evidence. FMCSA will share the methodology and techniques used to identify research information significant to medical standards with the MRB. The first two issues panels will address are 1) diabetes and 2) drugs (Schedule II).

Board members will have an opportunity to speak on current guidelines and procedures and to think about ways to improve the medical standards program, but will not be involved in rulemaking. FMCSA staff discussed the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners, and its role in the Agency's medical standards program. MRB members will help find ways to integrate information from the review of the medical standards with the National Registry to improve training for medical examiners who qualify CMV operators. Now the goal for the MRB is to develop a work plan at its initial meeting in Washington, DC August 29-31, 2006. The next meeting is an operations teleconference on July 20, 2006.

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