Libby Dowdall, Communications Coordinator, Project HealthDesign National Program Office
Did you know clinicians can help guide federal conversations about health IT? Whether you’re a nurse, physician, health coach or other clinician, you have a unique perspective. Many clinicians are close to the patient experience and are able to translate their understandings of day-to-day health care operations into stories and statements that can impact policy-makers.
Project HealthDesign Director Patricia Flatley Brennan, Ph.D., R.N., shares four tips for clinicians who want to help shape health policy:
- Scan for opportunities.
Think about the patients and caregivers you interact with on a day-to-day basis. What types of public policy issues would impact their daily experiences? Visit regulations.gov to review policies that are currently open for public comments.
- Develop partnerships.
Contact your state nurses’ organization, an organization that advocates for patients with a particular care concern or a group at your clinical site. Ask these groups to help you understand what policy issues are important and timely. - Develop a message.
Think about how new public policies might impact your patient population. Then state your message clearly and concisely.
- Make your statement.
Visit regulations.gov to leave a comment on a federal regulation, or write a letter to your state legislator to let him or her know how a proposed policy might intersect with your patient population’s needs.
To get started, consider commenting on a proposed rule regarding patients' access to test reports. Comments close November 14.
