Physician, Authorized

in the USSR, a doctor working in the system of the trade union councils and central committees of branch trade unions. The functions of an authorized physician include supervision of medical service to members of a particular trade union, of preventive health measures, and of the improvement of working conditions. An authorized physician has the right to visit enterprises and institutions under his auspices, to demand the elimination of problems that he finds, and to see whatever documents are necessary to perform medical services for citizens. The statute on authorized physicians was ratified by the All-Union Central Council of Trade Unions on Dec. 3, 1957.