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December 2000
Volume 64 |
Number 12
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ADMINISTRATIVE
UPDATE
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| Politics...We
Are the Powers That Be! |
"The credit belongsto the man who is actually in the arena,
who strives valiantly; who knows the great enthusiasms, and great
devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best,
knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if
he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place
shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither
victory nor defeat." – Theodore Roosevelt
This past year has been a tempestuous time for both the specialty
of anesthesiology and the profession of medicine. However, when
we look back, we realize that being a physician has never been
exactly easy. Although the hardships and challenges our predecessors
faced were far different than ours today, the practice of medicine
has always been demanding and fraught with obstacles to be overcome.
Indeed, being a physician has always been more than just a job
– it is a calling.
In 1905, the American Society of Anesthesiologists was founded
in New York with Vigilance as its motto. Just as anesthesiologists
felt the need to join together then, we too must continue to band
together now as never before. Our purpose now remains the same
as then:
It shall be the purpose of this Society to associate and
affiliate into one organization all of the reputable physicians
in the United States, its territories and possessions, who are
engaged in the practice of or otherwise especially interested
in anesthesiology; to encourage specialization in this field,
to raise the standards of the specialty by fostering and encouraging
education, research and scientific progress in anesthesiology
and by recommending standards of postgraduate education for qualifications
as a specialist in anesthesiology and furthermore by recommending
standards for approval of postgraduate training centers; to disseminate
information in regard to anesthesiology; to protect the public
against irresponsible and unqualified practitioners of anesthesiology;
to edit and publish publications in the field of anesthesiology
and related fields; to safeguard the professional interest of
its members, and in all ways to develop and further the specialty
of anesthesiology for the general elevation of the standards of
medical practice.
In 2000, I am proud to be a physician. I am proud to be an anesthesiologist.
I am proud, too, to be a member of ASA. I am proud to stand united
with all of you who this year have stood firmly for the cause
of patient safety and the preservation of our specialty as the
practice of medicine. As an organization, we shall continue to
resist erosion and intrusion into our profession by those who
seek to reap the benefits, but who have not paid the price four
years in medical school, four to six years in residency training
and untold hours away from family, friends and personal pursuits.
In 2000, ASA Political Action Committee membership has more than
doubled. This reflects the increasing commitment of anesthesiologists
throughout the country to participate in the political process.
You are to be commended not only for your financial contributions,
but also for your many calls, letters, e-mails and personal contacts
to legislators both at the federal and state levels. Regardless
of the outcome of the Health Care Financing Administration's proposed
rule change regarding physician supervision of nurse anesthetists
for Medicare patients, we must redouble our efforts in 2001 and
beyond. As the old French proverb says: "Those who do not
do politics will be done in by politics."
Ultimately, the fate of our profession and specialty lies with
each individual practicing anesthesiology at the local level.
Whether you practice in an anesthesia care team setting or provide
one-on-one anesthesia care, all of us must make our presence seen,
felt and heard in operating rooms or wherever we might render
medical services. Our patients, our surgeons and indeed our entire
health care team, from technicians to supervisors, must see us
in action demonstrating that anesthesiology truly is the practice
of medicine. It has long been said that all politics is local.
We must safeguard the practice of anesthesiology at the local
facility level by ensuring that proper medical staff bylaws and
credentialing processes are in place. We must take an active,
participatory role in the governance of our local medical facilities.
Lastly, I close with another quote by Theodore Roosevelt.
"Let us show, not merely in great crises, but in everyday
affairs of life, qualities of practical intelligence, of hardihood
and endurance, and above all, the power of devotion to a lofty
ideal. Faint not. Carry on. We shall persevere!"
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