The LBJ Tropical Medical Center in American Samoa is relaxing its stance on the United States medical licensing examination requirement.
And difficulty in attracting doctors for the local hospital is the catalyst.
The hospital chief executive, Michael Gerstenberger, says the LBJ management believes that the US examination is just one measure of competence.
The LBJ wants an amendment of the licence statute to allow consideration of other measures.
Mr Gerstenberger says using the US licensing examination only significantly limits the hospital's ability to recruit physicians who are willing to work in the territory and who appear by other measures to be well-trained and competent.
