AMA president on challenges doctors still face and what's next for the American Medical Association

Dr. Bruce Scott, the outgoing AMA President, recently shared his experiences and insights from his time leading the American Medical Association. He discussed the ongoing challenges doctors face, such as financial struggles and administrative burdens, and highlighted the AMA's efforts to address these issues. Dr. Scott also touched on the future of medicine and the importance of physician advocacy.

A Year of Progress and Persistence

Dr. Scott's presidency was marked by a focus on issues that directly impact practicing physicians. He continued to manage his private practice in Louisville, Kentucky, while serving as AMA President, which gave him a unique perspective on the daily struggles doctors encounter. His main goal was to remove obstacles that prevent physicians from providing the best patient care.

He highlighted several key areas where the AMA made progress:

• Financial Stability for Practices: While a complete fix for Medicare payment hasn't happened, the AMA has moved the conversation forward, making it clear that the current system is not sustainable. Physician reimbursement has dropped by 33% over the last 24 years, which is a big problem.

• Reducing Administrative Hassles: The AMA has seen success in 14 states with prior authorization reform. This is a big deal because prior authorization often delays or denies patient care, and it takes up a lot of a doctor's time.

• Ensuring Physician-Led Care: The AMA has fought against the expansion of scope-of-practice bills in over 40 states this year. This helps make sure patients get care from a physician or a physician-led team.

• Combating Physician Burnout: There's been an improvement in physician burnout levels for two years in a row. The AMA has worked with state licensing boards and hospital credentialing organizations to remove language that might make doctors hesitant to seek help. Also, more hospital systems are applying for the AMA's "Joy in Medicine" program, which recognizes efforts to reduce physician stress.

The Power of Unity and Advocacy

Dr. Scott believes that doctors need to come together as a profession. He emphasized that despite differences in specialties or political views, all physicians share a common goal: taking care of patients. This unity is important for effective advocacy.

Key Takeaways

• Medicare Payment Reform: This is a top priority because Medicare payment rates affect everything, including Medicaid and private insurance contracts. Fixing this broken system is important for the survival of private practices.

• Prior Authorization: This remains a major battle. It harms patients by causing delays and denials of care. The AMA is working at both federal and state levels to fix this. Public awareness of this problem is growing, which is a good sign.

• Influence on Policy: The AMA's advocacy is guided by policies adopted by its House of Delegates. Even when the AMA isn't in the headlines, it's working behind the scenes to push for changes that benefit physicians and patients.

Looking Ahead

Dr. Scott is hopeful for the future of medicine. He sees that patients are becoming more involved and understand the importance of doctors' practices staying open and doctors being able to focus on patient care, not paperwork. He believes that happy doctors provide better care, and the AMA's efforts are helping to create a healthcare system where doctors can thrive.

He passed the leadership to Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, confident that the work will continue. Dr. Scott's advice for future leaders is to never give up, even when things are tough, because patients and the profession are worth the effort.

The AMA continues to be a strong voice for American medicine, working to address the challenges physicians face and improve patient care. Supporting the AMA's ongoing work is important for the future of healthcare.