June 2020 • DALLAS MEDICAL JOURNAL 3
and politics is nothing else but medicine
on a large scale. Medicine, as a social
science, as the science of human beings,
has the obligation to point out problems
and to attempt their theoretical solution.
The politician, the practical anthropologist,
must fi nd the means for their actual
solution.”
If we are being honest with ourselves,
I believe that many physicians would
acknowledge that politicians are probably
only second behind lawyers in the
hierarchy of individuals we would prefer
to avoid direct interaction with, outside
of a patient-physician relationship, of
course. However, we need the politicians,
policymakers, think tanks, and the
like, in order to assist with putting our
recommendations, our “theoretical
solutions,” into actual solutions. This does
not necessitate becoming political in the
way that the term is used today, which is
frankly polarizing. As such, we need not
shy away from organized engagement in
politics for fear of the red-blue divide.
Instead, we are generally safest if we stay
in the neutral purple zone and emphasize
that our theoretical solutions do apply to
all: red, blue, purple, and every other color.
To the colleague who would say, “I’m
really interested in being involved in
direct advocacy,” my response would be,
“We have opportunities for you!” In all
seriousness, whether it be at the DCMS
or TMA level, we have ample opportunities
for physician members to engage in direct
involvement in policy suggesting, policy
crafting, policy counseling, and ultimately,
policy implementation. Or the colleague
who would say, “You know this sounds
great, but it’s just not my strong suit, but I
am supportive in principle,” my response
would be, “No worries, your membership
and representation as such speaks
volumes, and we will commit to keeping
you informed of our efforts.”
If ever you feel that there are paths that
you may differ with, or feel that you have
value to add, please never hesitate to
reach out.
Lastly, many of us know of a colleague
who might say, “I just don’t get what
organized medicine offers to me.” This
could even be one of your partners. I
would ask you, as a member of DCMS, to
share with your colleague that if they value
tort reform in Texas, efforts to expand
funding for maternal healthcare, increasing
the tobacco purchasing age to 21,
promoting reimbursement for telemedicine
in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,
increased PPE supplies for private
practice, then these are just some of the
benefi ts that organized medicine, DCMS
and TMA have offered to all of us.
As we continue to push through the
COVID slog, I would implore you to never
cease in your attempt to create the
theoretical solution, for the improved
health of our patient, as well as our
brothers and sisters at large. In doing so,
we must also continue to collaborate with
policymakers and politicians in order to
craft the actual solution. DMJ
Improve
Patient
Outcomes
The Value Institute for Health and Care at the University
of Texas at Austin facilitates interactive two-day executive
education programs for health care professionals.
• Gain practical tools and insights from real-world case
studies taught by health care leaders
• Join a global network of leading physicians, hospital
executives, health plan administrators, industry experts,
and policy makers.
• For clinicians, earn CME credit through UT’s Dell Medical
School.
For more information visit:
bit.ly/VIDMJ
“Medicine is a
social science, and
politics is nothing
else but medicine
on a large scale.”
RUDOLF VIRCHOW
(1821-1902), the Father of Pathology
/VIDMJ