Resolved: To actively shape the future of medicine

AMA Leader Commentary. By John C. Nelson, MD, MPH, Jan. 24, 2005.

AMA LEADER COMMENTARY

A few words about current events in medical practice

SEE ARCHIVES

A message to all physicians from AMA President John C. Nelson, MD, MPH.

Among the growing list of reasons I'm proud to be a member of the AMA is the Association's heritage of setting tough goals and accomplishing them.

Throughout its history, the AMA's achievements have contributed to the public's awareness of our organization as the most influential advocate for health care in America. You have helped earn that reputation. Our allies throughout the House of Medicine have helped earn that reputation as we continue to be stronger by working together.

It's appropriate, then, to celebrate the New Year by once again repeating the tradition of making resolutions. Historians say this tradition dates back to the early Babylonians about 4,000 years ago, whose most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment to neighbors along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

I have a different suggestion, however. This year, I propose that we in the AMA:

• Participate in the campaign to save 100,000 lives, launched last month by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Our institution is actively involved; I hope yours will be, too.
• Improve our clinical skills, because I am convinced that quality improvement is the surest way out of the medical liability morass and could save money at the same time.
• Focus even more on patients and their long-term needs. Patients aren't customers or consumers of health care, as some would paint them. They are dynamic, living individuals and so their care, too, must be individual.