Dr. Miller Goes to Washington: You Should, Too

Otolaryngologists, like most physicians, tend to avoid local, state, and national politics for a variety of reasons. Although physicians and their patients are frequently affected by policies made in these political arenas, physicians tend to avoid active participation because of inexperience, lack of time, lack of knowledge about ways to influence policy development, and a general distaste for the political process. Otolaryngologists need to participate in the process to ensure that their particular perspectives and concerns are heard. However, otolaryngologists also need to look beyond their personal or specialty interests to influence the broader health care debate. Before we are specialists, we are first physicians who have a fiduciary responsibility to mankind (our patients) to improve the health care system for all Americans. We have a moral and ethical obligation to address, influence, and support health care beyond the specialty level. Health policy developed in an absence of physician input is missing the insight of expertise and experience.