9 minute read
Setting Sun or Rising Sun?
CHAPTER AFFAIRS
By: Gregory K. Griggs, MPA, CAE
NCAFP Executive Vice President & CEO
During our country’s Continental Convention, George Washington presided in a chair that later became immortalized by Benjamin Franklin.
Franklin’s comments at the end of the Constitutional Convention: “I have often looked at that picture behind the president without being able to tell whether it was rising or setting. But now at length I have the happiness to know that it is a rising and not a setting sun."
More than 230 years after that Constitutional Convention in 1787, we can safely say Benjamin Franklin was correct – our country was like a rising sun. Since that time, we have faced adversity, but our country and our democracy still stand.
And no, I am not moving into a political column. But I do think that figure on the chair of a rising or setting sun can parallel the state of Family Medicine and primary care in the United States today. Is this the rising or the setting of the Family Medicine sun? Now, most people who know me will say I am an optimist, but I truly believe the sun is still rising. But let’s take a quick look back at the history of Family Medicine.
To begin with, all physicians were really family physicians. They had to take care of everything and everybody. At some point in time, some began to specialize into specific organ systems or body parts. But what would be coined the General Practitioner/General Physician was still the frontline medical professional for most individuals in our country. To emphasize the role of the generalist physician, the American Academy of General Practice was formed in 1948, as was the NC Chapter.
Moving forward, as specialties began to be more formally recognized, the first Family Medicine residency programs began in 1968, with the American Board of Family Medicine being formed in 1969. In October of 1971, the American Academy of General Practice transitioned to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
At times, it seems that Family Medicine specifically -- and primary care in general -- remain under attack; whether consistently being undervalued by payers OR outside forces telling you how to practice medicine OR someone trying to limit your scope.
We even recently conducted an administrative burden survey to learn more about what drains you and gets in the way of you doing what you love – taking care of patients. You can see the results of that survey on page 8 of this magazine. And it certainly brings up some significant challenges.
Yet, I still see Family Medicine as the rising sun of
continues on next page HEADQUARTERS UPDATE
Perry Price Joins NCAFP Staff as Manager of Workforce Initiatives
Perry W. Price joined the NCAFP staff in late July as Manager of Workforce Initiatives. In that role, Perry will be responsible for NCAFP’s medical student and residency initiatives, as well as working with the NCAFP Workforce Pipeline Committee. She will also work with various other related projects including helping with the NCAFP Foundation.
Perry joins the NCAFP with significant non-profit experience, having spent the last three and a half years as Director of Education and Government Relations at the Cary Chamber of Commerce. In that role, she developed and strengthened relationships with the schools in the area; partnered on workforce initiatives with local schools; advocated for the Cary Chamber’s legislative priorities; and served as an active member of the Regional Transportation Alliance.
Before joining the Chamber of Commerce, Perry spent three years as a legislative assistant at the NC General Assembly. She is a Cum Laude graduate of NC State University with a major in communications and public relations, and a minor in arts entrepreneurship. Perry is married and lives in Cary. Please join us in welcoming Perry to the NCAFP team.
healthcare. Why am I so positive? Let me point out several issues.
Dr. Margaret Chan, who served as Director-General of the World Health Organization from 2006-2017 says it best: “Primary care is our best hope for the future. Family doctors are our rising stars for the future.”
There are some key truths that I believe we know that will be acknowledged sooner or later.
• We cannot continue to increase our country’s spending on healthcare, particularly when our outcomes are worst among industrialized countries.
• We know that increased investment in primary care improves quality and lowers cost. • We know that adding family physicians to a community adds value to the healthcare system, but when you add more sub-specialists, costs go up and quality does not improve.
Quite frankly, we know that family physicians are the solution.
That still doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. It won’t be. But I believe we have the facts on our side. As Churchill once said, “Americans will always do the right thing – after exhausting all the alternatives.”
We are probably the only country in the world that has so many different healthcare systems. We are like national healthcare in England, at least in the VA Health system. We are like the Canadians, at least in Medicare. And we are like Germany, at least in the
ASK your patients if they use tobacco. ACT to help them quit.
Tobacco cessation resources available at www.askandact.org
- Quitline Referral Cards - Posters - Stop Smoking Guide - Patient Education Materials - Lapel Pins - EHR Guide - Pharmacologic Product Guide - Online Training - Group Visits Guide - Coding for Payment
QUIT NOW
Ask us how Be tobacco-free
www.smokefree.gov Llámenos. Es gratis. Da resultados. 1-800 QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
2010 QUITLINE SP.card.indd 1
9/9/10 9:18 AM
Many materials available in both English and Spanish!
“ Patients who have been advised to quit smoking by their doctors have a 66 percent higher rate of success.”
U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, MD, MBA
employer-based healthcare system.
But in many ways, those systems were created out of necessity. For example, England developed a nationalized healthcare system after World War II when most of the hospitals were destroyed by the war. The government was the only thing left to lead the rebuilding efforts, and that included the entire healthcare system.
It is taking time, but I think our country has almost exhausted the alternatives and we are on the verge of building a healthcare system where primary care and Family Medicine are foundational. I see small signs of it as I talk to government agencies, insurance companies, and large employers. They know we cannot keep funding a sick care system. They know they need to pay for value not widgets. But the process of getting from Point A to Point B is not necessarily linear, and it does contain political minefields.
But I believe we can navigate those minefields and that process. It won’t be easy. It won’t always be comfortable. We’ve got to keep proving the value of Family Medicine, even though it has been proven time and time again. But I think we are almost at the tipping point – a tipping point for a rising sun of Family Medicine.
So, I hope each of our members will join us in this process. Help us by responding to our e-mails, giving us feedback in our surveys, reaching out to elected officials when we ask, and staying involved. I look forward to continuing the journey with each one of you.
Helping physicians in medicine, business, and life.
Curious to know more? Visit curi.com
CORPORATE SPONSOR OF THE NORTH CAROLINA ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS
ADVERTISE!
Reach many types of Family Medicine professionals in North Carolina. Contact Peter Graber with the NCAFP at pgraber@ncafp.com
National Leadership —
Dr. Karen Smith Seeks Position on AAFP Board of Directors
NCAFP Past President Dr. Karen L. Smith (2005) of Raeford, NC, is a seeking a seat on the AAFP Board of Directors. The election will be held in Kansas City during the AAFP’s Congress of Delegates in late September. We asked Dr. Smith a few questions about the campaign and her goals.
What do you want to accomplish as an AAFP board member?
As a practicing family physician and small business owner, I think it is imperative that we reduce administrative burdens, achieve payment equity for our vital work, and realign primary care for the betterment of both patients and physicians. Physician well-being is critical if we intend to deliver exceptional healthcare. Content and happy doctors impact the health of their patients, families and communities more than those who are overburdened and frustrated.
What do you think the long-term goal should be for Family Medicine?
My dream is for our nation to embrace primary care as the foundation for a sustainable healthcare delivery system. Preventive care must replace ‘sick-care’ for our nation to tackle the growing burdens of chronic disease within our aging population while at the same time bending our nation’s healthcare cost curve. Family Medicine must be the center of healthcare going forward.
What motivates you to seek a national position?
Whether it’s been at the local, state, or national level, advocacy for our patients and our profession continue to be huge motivators for me. Whether it’s helping a local food pantry or testifying before Congress, I try to put patients first. I have served exhaustively on numerous boards and committees trying to make a difference, whether it’s been my County Board of Health, the NC Hospital Association’s Rural Health Advisory Board, chairing two AAFP commissions, or serving as a CMS Quality Physician Payment Program Champion. I am a true advocate for our patients and for our profession.
What makes you uniquely qualified for this role.
I have served on the frontlines of healthcare in one of our state’s most impoverished counties for my entire career. I first served patients at a small rural health center, then shifted to a system-based practice, before finally opening my own private independent practice in 2003. I have always believed that no matter what my patient’s circumstances, they deserved the best possible care. That has meant trying to be on the cutting edge of healthcare, such as implementing an electronic medical record as soon as I opened my private practice, constantly trying to close care gaps and improve the care the people of Hoke County receive. I believe in taking the practice of medicine outside the walls of the office deep into the community. That’s why during the pandemic, I’ve taken vaccines into stores, into large employers and even into homes. I also host a regular radio program talking about healthcare, trying to encourage not just my patients, but entire communities to lead healthier lives through exercise and better nutrition. ELECT KAREN L. SMITH MD, FAAFP
for AAFP BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The NCAFP wants to continue to impact Family Medicine at the national level by helping lead the AAFP. Contributions to Dr. Smith’s campaign will help ensure that the NCAFP conducts one of the best campaigns in the nation. To contribute, simply complete the form below and return with your contribution to Academy offices.
Yes, I Want to Help Get Karen P Elected!!!
PAYMENT INFORMATION
q I have enclosed a check, made payable to:
North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians
Amount:
q Please charge my credit card
Name on Card
Billing Address:
City
Card Number
Expiry Date
CCR Code State Zip
~ Mail or fax this form to NCAFP headquarters at (919) 833-1801 or 2501 Blue Ridge Road, Suite 120, Raleigh, NC 27607 • THANK YOU!
~ LEARN MORE AT WWW.SMITHFORBOARD.COM ~
