Resident Guide to Advocacy in Dermatology

Grassroots Advocacy

Grassroots advocacy in dermatology means that an individual or group of individuals (in this case, a resident or group of residents) is motivated to take action by contacting legislators and other government officials about gaps in funding and regulation for particular dermatology issues. These efforts often are noticed and taken into consideration by politicians because it is in their best interest to listen to their constituents rather than risk losing support.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association, the advocacy entity of the AAD, hosts the Dermatology Advocacy Network (www.aad-dan.com/default.aspx), which is dedicated to helping dermatologists become advocates. The DAN website helps residents easily identify and contact their local, state, and national legislators to discuss issues or concerns related to the dermatology specialty and medicine as a whole. For example, tanning bed regulation currently is a priority among dermatologists, and the DAN website provides customizable form letters that can be sent electronically to legislators for review.

Furthermore, the AAD offers helpful resources and suggestions for dermatologists and dermatology residents who want to get involved with grassroots advocacy efforts. The website (www.aad.org/advocacy) details current AAD advocacy priorities as well as specific topics such as Medicare physician payment, skin cancer and indoor tanning, drug pricing and availability, state policy, and network adequacy, as these are high-priority issues identified by the AAD that would benefit from action by its members.

Final Thoughts

Many opportunities exist for dermatology residents to get involved in advocacy, from opportunities on the national level with the AMA to patient advocacy and grassroots efforts. It is important for dermatology residents to get involved in advocacy efforts during their training so they may continue to be involved in these efforts as their careers develop. Advocacy helps keep the dermatology specialty relevant and maintain its voice in the national medical arena. It also enhances the dermatology resident’s ability to provide comprehensive quality care for patients by addressing some of their educational and supportive needs that perhaps cannot be addressed in a clinic visit alone. Advocacy also gives residents the opportunity to network and meet colleagues and other individuals with similar goals and interests, which may be beneficial for their future careers. Thus, early involvement in advocacy may be a productive and interesting part of dermatology residency for trainees to be further involved in the specialty.