Doctors’ passion to reshape medicine is how AMA policy gets made

Behind the policies adopted by the AMA House of Representatives lies the unwavering dedication of doctors and medical students with an unwavering passion to reshape the field of medicine.

With a rich history spanning 175 years, AMA responds to every moment in healthcare by advancing science and research, standardizing physician training and medical education, improving public health, and uniting the profession. common ethics.

But it is the AMA members themselves who act as the driving force, promoting medicine and science, and developing policies that help improve public health. With his 2022 AMA Annual Meeting set to kick off this week in Chicago, it’s a good time to learn a little more about how the AMA House of Representatives sets policy and his AMA members who make policy happen through passion. .

Policy deliberations at the AMA begin with public hearings, where AMA members can comment on submitted reports and resolutions. Public hearings are presided over by a small sub-group of members called the Referral Committee.

After the public hearing, the Reference Committee prepares a report containing recommendations for each report and a resolution proposing how the House of Representatives should deal with the item. For each item, the reference committee can recommend:

• Adopt the proposal.
• Adopt the amendment as is.
• Refer to the proposal for further study or for decision by the AMA Board.
• I do not accept the proposal.

The recommendations of these reports form the starting point for all subsequent discussion and action by the House of Representatives. From here begins a formal process governed by parliamentary procedure.

Find out about this by watching the short video below from 2019. AMA Ed Hub™ Interactive course How to create an AMA policy.

Beyond reports, resolutions, hearings, and legislative proceedings, the AMA uses its influential policies to improve patient care, uphold ethical standards, and empower AMA member physicians and medical students to navigate the evolving healthcare landscape. We owe it to our collective vision and expertise.

Learn more about just a few of the AMA members who have helped shape policy and actively shaped the future of healthcare.

1. 1. Whether posting viral tweets about groundbreaking changes in AMA policy or creating podcasts about public health issues for people of color, Dr. Crittenden advances conversations about health policy and systemic racism. I would like to. That’s why she helped shape her AMA policy to recognize racism as a public health threat.
   2. For more information, read this Q&A with Dr. Luis Seija and how he helped champion the movement. Adopting AMA policies to recognize racism as a public health threat and Race as a Social Structure.
2. 1. For Dr. James, evidence of polypharmacy (taking five or more medications at the same time) has been around for years. And it can do harm. But Dr. James did not see how to bring his own research on this issue to the national level. Things changed when he was asked to submit a policy resolution.With a few minor modifications, his The resolution was adopted last summer.
3. 1. During his career, Dr. Templeton has seen the challenges that physicians face at every stage of their career. More specifically, Dr. Templeton has done research on the issues female doctors face in terms of burnout. And while all doctors are at risk of burnout, her research shows that some are at greater risk than others.
   2. At the 2022 AMA Annual Meeting, she worked on a resolution adopted to: Protect the health of doctors in applying for medical certification By removing intrusive questions that are not focused on the current obstacle.
4. 1. “It is important to think about what kind of space native students will walk in and how to make them feel welcome away from home. It’s important to provide the right support, both culturally and non-traditionally,” Karak said. “Fortunately, the AMA recently adopted policies It recognizes the importance of cultural identity in promoting the success of Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian trainees. “
5. 1. When gun violence affected Dr. DeLong’s medical practice, the patients who died were not victims of mass shootings or murders. Dr. DeLong’s patient, an otherwise healthy 80-year-old man who showed no signs of depression, committed suicide with a pistol. He wanted to help prevent such deaths and drafted a resolution to address gun violence and suicide among the elderly, which was adopted last fall.

The 2023 AMA Annual Meeting will be held June 9-14 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.