The spread of the coronavirus put an end to those face-to-face exchanges in 2020, but virtual meetings and the important work of advocacy power forward. “Despite the pandemic, we still are focusing on things like access to care, access to medicines and research funding for the field,” Dr. Brittan says. In fact, she believes the pandemic brought increased awareness to some topics, such as the impact of telehealth on the rural community, which is a large group in Nebraska. “Telehealth has been well-received and works well, so when it comes to access to care, we can provide real evidence during discussions with elected officials and their staffers that telehealth works and is appreciated by our patient population,” she says.
Being in the Room
For Dr. Brittan, the time and effort she has put into advocacy have paid back many times over. As a fellow-in-training, for instance, she noted invaluable opportunities for networking, leadership development and mentorship with leaders in the ACR.
“And on a deeper level, when I think about my day-to-day work and the frustrations arising from issues with prior authorizations, patient access to certain medications, or other things that interfere with patients getting the care they deserve, advocacy is the platform that tells me I don’t have to accept the status quo,” Dr. Brittan remarks. “Advocacy tells me I have a voice, I can be in the room where policy is made, and I actually have an ability to try to change the system to work better for all of us.”
At the same time, advocacy enhances her relationships with her patients. “When I tell them that I am personally trying to break down their barriers to care down by talking to elected officials, writing opinions and taking other steps to stand up for them and for their care, that builds their trust in my care of them and opens up our relationship,” she says.
“Advocacy is something that truly makes my job more enjoyable.”
Leslie Mertz, PhD, is a freelance science journalist based in northern Michigan.
