Doctors returning to practice after an absence could be supervised by non-doctors under proposed new rules from AHPRA.

Draft new rules published last month said supervisors should usually be from the same profession but there could be “exceptional circumstances” — such as when doctors were in rural or remote areas.

In those cases, the Medical Board of Australia could approve a nurse or other health practitioner.

This would not apply to supervision of IMGs, interns or vocational trainees, but could apply to doctors who were ordered by a tribunal to practise under supervision to protect patients.