FROM THE PRESIDENT by LEWIS HARGETT , MD
Physicians Are Leaders in Health Care
In keeping with my theme of “ strong advocacy for our profession makes for strong advocacy for our patients ,” I will discuss a very important quality that all physicians possess . That quality is leadership . What does leadership mean ? If you Google the word leadership , it is defined as “ the ability of an individual or a group of people to influence and guide followers or members of an organization , society or team .” Leadership often is an attribute tied to a person ’ s title , seniority or ranking in hierarchy . Therefore , physicians meet the definition of leaders in health care . Often on television or in the newspapers , there is mention of leaders who excel in areas such as politics , military , business and sports . Physicians also deserve mention , as they lead their very own health care teams in the care of their patients .
Physicians have several qualities that make them leaders . We are dedicated and determined . Each one of us took a different path to becoming a physician . We all had to attend college , pass the Medical College Admissions Test ( MCAT ) and get accepted to medical school . In medical school , the classes were harder than college . Next , we had to pass Part One of the National Medical Boards to start clinicals , and pass part two of the National Medical Boards to graduate from medical school . Then came the onthe-job training of a residency to obtain the skills to practice your specialty for the next 40 years . Through all of this time and training , additional leadership skills were being developed and refined . Leadership qualities included improved technical , interpersonal and communication skills , better decision-making ability and many more . As we progressed towards our path of becoming a physician , each of us developed greater influence in the health care system . Upon completion of medical school and obtaining our degrees , each physician received a leadership title . Finally , after completion of a residency and starting practice , each physician became the leader of their own health care team .
As a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician , I look at my role as a leader in the health care system . The entire patient ’ s care is my responsibility . From the time the patient is admitted to the rehab hospital until the time the patient goes home , I am the leader of their health care team . I am also responsible for advocating for their best health and well-being . Daily rounds are done but in particular for rehab , a team conference is held for patients on a weekly basis . At that meeting , all participants in the patient ’ s care including physical therapy , occupational therapy , speech therapy , case management , dietary , psychology , nursing , recreation therapy , pharmacy , wound care , etc . can participate . Each discipline contributes , and I am the leader of the meeting . I direct the decision-making for each of my patients ’ health care needs and their overall well-being . I attend medical staff meetings and communicate with hospital administrators , when necessary , on issues pertinent to the care of my patients and the changes taking place at the rehab hospital . I advocate for issues that I feel strongly about regarding my practice at the rehab hospital and for my patient ’ s well-being .
So , when I think about leadership and great leaders , physicians immediately come to mind . Physicians possess leadership skills that have taken years to develop . Some physicians have taken their leadership skills to our local , state and national physician-led organizations . They represent dues-paying members in the American Medical Association ( AMA ), National Medical Association ( NMA ), Kentucky Medical Association ( KMA ), Greater Louisville Medical Society ( GLMS ), our specialty societies and others , by serving on committees and as delegates . These physicians are involved in health policy and advocacy for our profession and our patients . There are also physicians who run for office to become leaders in our professional medical organizations . For example , I am the current National Treasurer for the National Medical Association and the GLMS President . There have been other exceptional leaders in GLMS who have gone on to be local , state and national officers in their specialty societies , and have been officers of the KMA and the AMA . As a matter of fact , I recently attended the annual meeting of the AMA in Chicago , Illinois where Dr . Bruce Scott , a past President of GLMS and the KMA , was installed as the 179th President of the AMA . I congratulated him on his hard work and dedication for achieving such a high position in organized medicine and for being an advocate for the medical profession and patients .
Therefore , we as physicians need to keep in mind that we are the leaders in health care . Our education , post-graduate training and ongoing education after residency have enabled us to develop and maintain skills that make each of us leaders of our health care teams . And as leaders , we must participate in organized medicine and the legislative process to promote our profession and advocate for our patients .
Dr . Hargett is a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician in private practice . He is also Treasurer of the National Medial Association .
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