Physicians can guide major changes ahead in health care

AMA Leader Commentary. By William G. Plested III, MD, July 17, 2006.

AMA LEADER COMMENTARY

A few words about current events in medical practice

SEE ARCHIVES

A message to all physicians from AMA President William G. Plested, III, MD.

This is my first AMNews article in the series that I will be privileged to share as president of the AMA. My last series appeared in 2003-04, when I was chair of the Board of Trustees.

My style is to be straightforward, honest and unafraid to advocate vigorously for patients and physicians. I feel that open debate is an imperative and must be welcomed. However, that debate must lead to solutions and not become an end in itself. One of the greatest obstacles that all organizations face today is that our insistence upon endless debate often leaves us exhausted. We tend to finish a prolonged debate and have a feeling that we have "done something" -- and we move on to the next issue. This, of course, is ridiculous, since debate is only noise if the next steps of decision, action and follow-up are not taken.

So, I am open to debate, but we need a measure of discipline.

We are living in a time that promises unique opportunities for physicians. A wide variety of circumstances have coalesced to bring health care to the top of our national agenda. A wide-ranging, national debate will begin following the upcoming election in November. It should form a major, if not the overriding, issue for the next presidential election. The results of that election probably will give overall direction to the changes that will transform health care delivery.

As I said, I view the prospect of major changes in our existing health care delivery system as a precious opportunity for physicians. We will see no end of those who will aggressively claim that they have all the answers. But such advice can be expected to be based on narrow self-interest and emotion with little or no data or experience to back it up. Here is where physicians have an insurmountable advantage that we cannot underestimate or squander. Only physicians have the training and experience necessary to make appropriate decisions about the real needs of patients.

An important aspect of this debate is that the universe of health care delivery considerations will be on the table. We will have the opportunity to craft a rational plan that addresses what we know to be the greatest challenges to our patients.