Getting involved in advocacy
Advocacy is an important tool in promoting and protecting the specialty of dermatology. Advocacy also can bring attention to the needs of dermatology patients and help protect the public from dangerous skin health trends. From testifying before legislators to funding candidates, advocacy has many different forms. Find out why you should consider getting involved in advocacy and ways you can make your voice heard.
Thinking of getting involved in advocacy may bring about mixed a range of emotions. You may have opinions about laws and policies that you’re passionate about sharing, or you may need to educate yourself about the advocacy issues that impact dermatology. You also may wonder if advocacy is the best use of your time. Can your advocacy efforts impact the challenges you face in your day-to-day practice?
Why you should consider getting involved in advocacy
While “quick wins” can be few, the changes that occur can benefit you, your colleagues, and your patients for years to come. Consider indoor tanning legislation: Since 2009, 42 states have either ban or regulate indoor tanning by minors, and numerous local governments have also enacted laws or regulations to prevent access. In addition, the Affordable Care Act of 2010 included an indoor tanning tax. Dermatology advocacy including the AAD/A and ASDS/A groups spent years working to encourage governments to enact legislation bans or regulations. Advocacy does take time and patience, but the lasting results can impact skin health for decades to come.
The truth is not every legislator understands what a dermatologist does and the issues that are important to dermatologists and their patients. That’s why It’s important for dermatologists to participate in advocacy efforts both for the dermatology speciality and medicine as a whole.
What advocacy looks like
Issues important to advocate for include:
- Scope of Practice: Who is allowed to perform certain medical procedures in your state, and with what level of supervision?
- Research: How much should the government fund medical research, and what portion of that should fund the research of skin, hair and nail conditions?
- Public Health: What concerning trends are endangering the skin health of Americans, and what regulations could help?
- Prescription medication availability
- Insurance coverage
- Liability coverage
- Physician Payment: What coverage and payment policies negatively impact your practice and the care your patients receive?
How you can get involved in advocacy
1. Join with dermatology organizations that advocate for the specialty.
The easiest way to get involved with advocacy is to join with national and state dermatology organizations that already have an advocacy presence. The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association (ASDSA) are two national dermatology organizations that have resources and available opportunities for interested dermatologists, including:
- Model legislation
- Position statements
- Congressional visit opportunities
- Leadership positions on advocacy workgroups or task forces
- Advocacy education
- Local state and federal advocacy events
State societies are aware of issues that can be addressed at the state level. These organizations often hold yearly advocacy events at state capitol buildings. Society leadership can guide you on key issues that are up for debate in your state legislature and guide you on the best ways to make your voice heard.
Join the American Medical Association (AMA) and be a part of the house of medicine.
2. Consider running for public office.
While advocating to legislators on behalf of dermatology is beneficial, the specialty’s interests are better served when dermatologists are the decision makers. Dermatologists can become state and federal policymakers. The ASDSA offers invite-only academies that provide instruction on how to become a state legislator or a member of a state medical board.
3. Participate in Rare Disease Day.
Advocate for your patients with rare diseases by participating in the yearly National Institute of Health’s Rare Disease Day. The day, which is honored worldwide, raises awareness among policymakers and the public about rare diseases and their impact on patients’ lives.
If you would like to get involved with advocacy, national and state dermatology organizations are excellent resources in understanding the advocacy issues affecting dermatology. Spend some time researching and choosing the issues that are most important to you. Speaking with passion and knowledge will help communicate to legislators that the issues are important and require immediate action. Even if your time is limited, choose one way you can make your voice heard. Your efforts may change the future of dermatology.
Author
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Anthony M. Rossi MD, FAAD, FACMS Assistant Attending | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Assistant Professor | Weill Cornell Medical College
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