Student doctors from the Kansas Health Science Center – Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine recently attended Physician Advocacy Day at the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka. Led by Angela Carrick, DO; John McMaster, MD; and Molly Fox, the event allowed students to engage with elected officials, physician specialty groups, and practicing physicians. Discussions centered around health care policy under review in the state legislature, the legislative decision-making process, and the importance for physicians to stay informed about state-level policies.
Aliasgher Sabir, a first-year student at KansasCOM, reflected on the importance of understanding health care policy intricacies. “It was really interesting to see,” Sabir says. “I believe that this is a really beneficial experience.”
For these aspiring physicians, the experience was an eye-opener. They gained a deeper appreciation for how health care policy decisions can impact their future careers and the practice of medicine. Through engaging conversations with stakeholders, students learned about the importance of active participation in policymaking.
KansasCOM student doctors and Associate Dean Angie Carrick, DO speak with Representative Bill Clifford, MD, of Garden City, a seasoned ophthalmologist of three decades.
Sabir highlighted the critical role of physician involvement in shaping health care policy, emphasizing the need for increased physician representation or education for elected officials. “As physicians, we need to help educate the elected officials on health policy and the potential impact of these policies,” Sabir says. “Sometimes, the inability to pass a bill can be due to a simple lack of experience, a lack of exposure, or a lack of education surrounding the issues.”
Physician Advocacy Day emphasized the need for health care leaders, especially physicians, to be more involved in advocating for health care policies that affect their careers and patient care. By actively participating in such events, students gain a deeper understanding of how legislative decisions influence the health care landscape and contribute to positive change in their communities.
Student doctors and Dr. Carrick pause for a photo opportunity, taking in the view from the House of Representatives podium in the Kansas Statehouse.
Sabir summarized the importance of bridging the gap between the political and medical spheres: “It’s something that everyone in the health care field should experience because it will also help mitigate the conflict that occurs between the political side and the medical side.”
As these student doctors progress in their medical education, their engagement in health care advocacy will be instrumental in shaping policies that promote the health and well-being of all Kansans.