By Mona P. Kathuria, D.O., FAAHPM

“We’re going to have to make some changes in our health care staffing.”

When I first heard this as a practicing physician and medical director, it made me pause. Was this conversation about health care or was this about a technology position? I naively thought as physicians, the medical profession was somehow immune to these kinds of conversations. Unfortunately, as we navigate a changing health care environment with political, regulatory, and technological transformations, change has become the only constant these days.

Physicians are navigating and adapting at a pace that was unheard of in the past. It wasn’t that long ago that doctors were writing prescriptions and orders on paper and adapting to electronic medical records. Now with Artificial Intelligence as the next cornerstone of innovation and new policy changes regarding vaccines, medical research, declining hospital and physician reimbursement, Medicaid cuts, and Veterans Affairs staff downsizing, physicians must again change and adapt. Unfortunately, all too often, these kinds of changes are happening to us rather than by us. It can at times feel daunting what lies ahead for our field.

Reflecting on my journey as I approach 20 years in medical practice, working as a Hospitalist to transitioning into private practice and furthering my education in palliative care, I have witnessed the evolving landscape of medicine. With these experiences, I am eager to advocate for the physician’s voice in shaping the future of healthcare.

In such times, it is crucial that physicians remain at the forefront of health care decision-making processes. Our collective voice is essential in maintaining the core values of compassion, expertise, and meaningful human connection that define our profession. While many of us may differ in our views, we have several common aims as physicians and are all navigating this together. We are also a resilient group, with a focus on improving care for our patients that drives us. By coming together, we can restore the spirit and values that inspired us to pursue medicine.

As we face these changes, it’s essential we collectively support physician representation, better reimbursement, access for underserved populations, and physician wellbeing.

  1. Strengthening Physician Advocacy and Representation: Get involved in KCMS and other physician organizations. Work towards enhancing the representation of physicians in healthcare policy-making and decision-making processes. Advocate for the inclusion of physicians’ voices in legislative discussions, healthcare reforms, and policy development. Establish a robust advocacy network that empowers physicians to actively participate in shaping the future of healthcare.
  2. Improving Reimbursement: Lobby for policies that allow for better reimbursement rates from insurances and the government both locally and nationally. Promote legislation to support fair practices for the care that is being provided.
  3. Improving Access to Rural, Underserved, & Vulnerable Populations: Champion funding and access to care for those that are underserved, vulnerable, and living in rural areas—including leveraging technology and telehealth with educational outreach efforts.
  4. Enhancing Physician Well-Being and Support: Advocate for the implementation of comprehensive programs tailored specifically for physicians. This includes access to confidential counseling services, stress management workshops, and peer support groups. Emphasize the importance of mental health in maintaining high-quality patient care and reducing burnout among healthcare professionals.

I urge each of you to take small, meaningful steps towards making a positive impact on our healthcare community. Whether it’s joining a healthcare organization like KCMS, communicating your views with your congressional representative, or simply voting—every action counts.

These small steps collectively can grow into a powerful movement. Together, we can ensure that our voices are heard and that we, as physicians, lead the way in advocating for our patients, our profession, and the future of medicine.