Resident Involvement in Policy-Making
Politics greatly affect how physicians practice medicine. As dermatology residents, it is vital that we familiarize ourselves with the role of the American Academy of Dermatology Association in policy-making as well as opportunities for residents to help shape the future of our specialty.
Final Thoughts
As dermatology residents, a substantial amount of what we do in the routine care of our patients is influenced by policy decisions made by legislators at the state and federal levels, who often do not understand the impact their decisions have on our ability to effectively practice medicine. Learning about these issues now and becoming involved in efforts to affect change is something every resident can do, so get active!
Acknowledgement—I would like to thank the faculty members of the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of South Florida, Tampa, for their active involvement in SkinPAC and the AADA Legislative Conference.
