BOARD OF GOVERNORSOnce you’ve found your voice, use it!
With the Leadership Forum this month and World Voice Day in April, I cannot think of a better opportunity to provide this exhortation. However, what sounds so simple also can be an incredibly daunting task for the young and elder physician alike. At first, I was afraid to get involved because I was not sure if my voice was strong enough or even desired.
Spencer C. Payne, MD, BOG Member-at-Large and associate professor at the University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VAWith the Leadership Forum this month and World Voice Day in April, I cannot think of a better opportunity to provide this exhortation. However, what sounds so simple also can be an incredibly daunting task for the young and elder physician alike. At first, I was afraid to get involved because I was not sure if my voice was strong enough or even desired. The reality is that even the weakest voice, when joined by others, can create a resonant chorus to move our specialty forward. Further, as the “business” of medicine continues to bloom, regulatory agencies and guidelines continue to grow, and rules of billing and coding remain in a constant state of flux, the demand for your voice has never been stronger! But first, you will need to find your voice in order to use it. If you are anything like me, you will find it difficult to know how, when, or on what issues to spend your time and effort. In the field of otolaryngology, as with the House of Medicine in general, there are numerous avenues through which one can become involved, but start slow and plan time accordingly to dedicate to the endeavor to maximize your effect. The “always say yes” mentality can be your worst enemy and result in a dilution of your talent.
What interests you? What do you feel in your heart needs to be better? Some may argue that P4P will hurt us, some may argue it’s moving in the right direction. Either way, at its base are quality and guidelines. Consider getting involved with the Guideline Task Force. Appointments can be made through specialty societies and Academy committees. The Board of Governors is soliciting your input as well in order to determine what topics and issues need to be put forward and reviewed so we can take control of our own “best practices” before they are provided to us. Consider getting involved locally as well. Most hospitals and health systems, if they have not already, are gearing up to improve their provision of care and will always need physician-citizens to lead the way.
What about scope of practice issues? Are you concerned about whether care provided by nonphysicians is in the best interest of our patients? Academy trackers pay close attention to bills being introduced in the state and national arenas that influence this and many other issues. The Board of Governors also organizes the state societies into regions to help disseminate the information in both directions. Get involved locally and use that as a springboard to Academy involvement.
Perhaps you want to help your fellow physician understand the intricacies of all that can stand in our way to providing the best care to our patients. Become involved in the Academy Sections for women, residents/Fellows-in-Training, or young physicians, and help mold the educational opportunities they provide.
Once you find your passion, your voice will follow and when you have found your voice, use it!
