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Navigating the Physician Journey in Health Policy, from Learner to Leader

SSRN Electronic Journal
2024
  • 1
    Citations
  • 172
    Usage
  • 0
    Captures
  • 0
    Mentions
  • 0
    Social Media
Metric Options:   Counts1 Year3 Year

Metrics Details

  • Citations
    1
    • Citation Indexes
      1
  • Usage
    172
    • Abstract Views
      147
    • Downloads
      25

Article Description

Introduction Despite high healthcare spending compared to other countries, health outcomes in the US continue to decline. Physicians are uniquely poised to influence innovative ideas in health policy reform, but research suggests that conventional clinician training programs fail to equip physicians with the knowledge and skills required to influence health policy. Moreover, the physician role has expanded to include disease prevention and leadership training without the concomitant expansion of such education in medical training. Graduating physicians endorse feeling ill-equipped to apply health policy knowledge practically, highlighting a gap between healthcare practitioners and system-level change. This article outlines feasible steps to guide interested learners at any career stage interested in becoming contributors and leaders across health policy domains. Discussion In the vast landscape of health policy, physicians can engage in diverse roles across legislative, research, operations, and public relations domains. As they embark on their journey, "learners" initiate transformative leadership by gaining valuable knowledge to develop expertise—cultivating mentors, actively participating in research, and engaging in committees and councils. As the learner’s foundation solidifies, they progress into a “contributor” role as their understanding grows—augmented by their professional network and experience, such as interning or working within health policy domains. Further, new doors open for contributors by embracing hybrid roles, such as policy writing activities, co-authoring research, and pursuing fellowships or advanced degrees in areas of interest. Ultimately, a health policy “leader” emerges as an expert, spearheading significant projects that shape healthcare change. Leaders hold a spectrum of roles across health policy domains, such as organizational board directors, government officers, research and think tank managers, or healthcare executives. These health policy leaders are crucial and impactful in shaping the present and future states of the US healthcare system. Conclusion This article highlights opportunity paths for physicians seeking foundational insight to propel their journey toward leadership in health policy. The challenge lies in overcoming knowledge gaps and inspiring active engagement, leveraging physicians’ acquired wisdom to embark on transformative advancements in health policy disciplines. To enhance the delivery of patient care on a systematic scale, physicians must acknowledge their unparalleled opportunity to shape the domains of health policy. Embracing this challenge with intentionality and commitment will empower them to make substantial and purposeful contributions to the future of healthcare.  

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