Or. Rev. Stat. § 677.495 (2026)

      677.495 Definitions for ORS 677.495 to 677.535. As used in ORS 677.495 to 677.535, unless the context requires otherwise:

      (1) “Collaboration” means, as indicated by the patient’s condition, community standards of care and a physician associate’s education, training and experience:

      (a) Consultation between the physician associate and a physician or podiatric physician; or

      (b) Referral by the physician associate to a physician or podiatric physician.

      (2) “Collaboration agreement” means a written agreement that describes the manner in which the physician associate collaborates with physicians or podiatric physicians, that does not assign supervisory responsibility to, or represent acceptance of legal responsibility by, a physician or podiatric physician for the care provided by the physician associate and that is signed by the physician associate and the physician, podiatric physician or physician associate’s employer.

      (3) “Employer” means:

      (a) An entity that employs a physician or podiatric physician and is organized to deliver health care services in this state:

      (A) In accordance with ORS 58.500 or 58.503; or

      (B) As defined by the Oregon Medical Board by rule;

      (b) A group medical practice that is part of a health system; or

      (c) A physician or podiatric physician who employs a physician associate.

      (4) “Physician” means a physician licensed under ORS 677.100 to 677.228.

      (5) “Physician associate” means a person who is licensed in accordance with ORS 677.505 to 677.525.

      (6) “Podiatric physician” means a podiatric physician and surgeon licensed under ORS 677.805 to 677.840. [Formerly 677.012; 1983 c.486 §45; 1987 c.660 §24; 1989 c.830 §30; 1999 c.119 §1; 1999 c.582 §1; 2001 c.744 §§3,4; 2005 c.366 §1; 2007 c.347 §1; 2010 c.43 §1; 2011 c.550 §1; 2017 c.352 §1; 2021 c.349 §10; 2023 c.314 §3; 2024 c.73 §131]