Robert Hogue, MD, TAFP President

Academy leadership: 
A primer

Politics, thinking globally and getting involved

We are now in the midst of a very important Legislative Session in our grand state of Texas. Many of the bills that may be passed will affect our daily lives and how we each practice our own brand of medicine. It has caused me to decide to turn from my planned themes of articles, which were to have focused on positive, encouraging topics. That’s not to say this one will be negative, but I feel that a few lines about politics in general and politics in the Academy may be in order.

Last year, our immediate past president Justin Bartos began a campaign to “Take Back Medicine.” Part of that has to do with each of us becoming aware of what is happening to the environment in which we work, not just locally but on a more global level. It is easy for us to talk in the hallways or doctor’s lounge of the hospital, complaining about what the government or personal injury lawyers have done to us and the delivery of health care. What is harder to do is to have the numbers and addresses to each of our representatives in state and federal legislatures so your secretary can type a quick note for you about issues that are critical to your practice. To take back medicine, we must take our place in the pool of those who are willing to spend the time and maybe even some money to influence those who have the ability to change policy.

In this legislative session, many bills about malpractice reform and prompt pay will be debated. Only with a large number of our members singing the song in unison can we be heard loud and clear. Be alert to what is happening and be a part of the solution. Get to know your representatives and be sure they know who you are when you call or write their office. Have their information handy so you can send a quick fax to them or make a quick call. You can subscribe to the TMA legislative update by going to texmed.org and simply requesting it.

You should know that your executive committee is having biweekly conference calls to keep up with all the issues and to try to make an impact on the outcomes. We are also having biweekly conference calls with the leaders of the Texas Pediatric Society and the Texas Academy of Internal Medicine Services, with which we have joined to create the Primary Care Coalition. Together, we plan to be a formidable influence on policy makers. We need your continued support and input to be successful.

Now, please let me discuss for a moment our Texas Academy of Family Physicians. Our Academy is now comprised of more than 5,000 members. To accomplish the many goals that we have and promote our specialty, we have set up an organizational structure that allows a systematic approach to facilitate that end. In order for you to have the opportunity to influence policy and activities of the Academy, you will need to have a basic understanding of that structure.

The officers and executive committee have the duty of coordinating the business of the Academy during times in which the board is not in session, which is only during the interim session (usually in March) and at the annual session (in the summer, July or August). The board, which is comprised of a delegate from each chapter, makes decisions and policy during those two meetings. You should make sure you know who your chapter’s representative is and that your delegate comes to the board meeting. If you have concerns about what our Academy is doing, it is critical for you to have discussed these concerns with your delegate in preparation for this meeting.

In addition, we have commissions and committees that deal with many of the issues that affect the business of the Academy. There is a great need to have interested members willing to serve both as chairpersons and members of these groups. The strength of our organization is determined by the foundation of those with a servant attitude and desire to make a material difference in our specialty. The time spent in these activities will pay great rewards both personally and for our continued ability to care properly for our patients. If you would be willing to serve in any capacity, please contact me or Jim White, our executive director, and give us your name and how you would like to serve. The best way to have your say is to be a part of the process.

Lastly, I would like to address the AAFP. The AAFP is now made up of about 94,000 members. As you can imagine, with that many doctors, there will be many opinions about how things should be done. There has been much discussion about some of the decisions made at the last AAFP meeting last fall in San Diego.

As physicians, we certainly have our share of special interest groups. Let me illustrate this by telling the story of the funeral of a well-known cardiologist. The funeral was an elaborate affair that had a huge heart covered in flowers standing just behind the casket during the service. Following the eulogy, the heart opened, and the casket was rolled inside. The heart then closed, sealing the doctor in the beautiful heart forever. At that point one of the mourners burst into laughter. When confronted, he said, “I’m sorry, I was just thinking of my own funeral — I’m a gynecologist.” Another mourner fainted. He was a proctologist.

While the moral of this story is that if we are not careful, we can push our special interests too far, you shouldn’t pass on the opportunity to express your ideas and feelings about where we are going as  both a state and national organization. Just like you are represented in government by representatives, you are represented at the AAFP by delegates from your membership. These delegates meet at the annual session of the AAFP in the General Assembly and get two votes, one each, on all issues brought before the Assembly to become policy of the AAFP. You should know your representatives and let them know you and your opinions on any topic of interest to you. This year our delegates are Leah Raye Mabry and Tim Lambert.

At the recent Multi-state Meeting, Tim Lambert made the statement that 80 percent of our membership just pay their dues and expect the delegates to represent them. I have to agree with that. But you have the ability to contact them and be sure they have heard how you want them to carry out that job. It is not reasonable to think they will always be able to change the will of the entire Assembly, but it is reasonable to expect them to represent and vote the will of the predominance of Texas family physicians.

There will always be talk of displeasure with some policy or another. I encourage you to realize that the best way to change any policy is from within, by being an active member. The opportunity to make a difference in how we will be able to care for our patients, practice our work in the most enjoyable environment, and make a difference in our society comes from diligent, faithful servants who see the vision and are willing to seize the opportunity by their own involvement. Albert Schweitzer said, “One thing I know — the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.”