5 reasons to get involved in organized medicine

The following are intended to inspire to medical students and residents to learn more about organized medicine. Whether it be at the national, state, county, or specialty level, there are numerous societies with opportunities for contribution. 1. To pull back the curtain. Many physicians are innately curious and like to “see how the sausage is made,” so to speak. There is a great deal of policy behind the scenes of our day-to-day workflow, as well as the larger picture of the state of medicine today. Resolutions and debate include topics such as Medicare coverage of services provided by proctored medical students and the requirement for updated H&P within 24 hours of surgery. In order to best understand the health care milieu, it is helpful to know the policies and laws in place that define its processes and direction. 2. Civic duty. Arguably, as human beings and physicians, there is an obligation to advocate for our beliefs. We are uniquely positioned to provide insight from the healthcare provider world on a spectrum of topics ranging from firearm safety to preventive care coverage and access to essential resources. 3. Old-timey insults. As a millennial, I am a member of the generation that thinks it invented “shade.” We did not. In the heated but respectful debates that occur, you will hear things such as, “If what you want to say does not improve upon the silence, do not say it,” and “You Are Out Of Order Sir.” Feel free to add these classy idioms to y...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Policy Public Health & Washington Watch Source Type: blogs