Join us in learning from guests Dr. Zoe Tseng and Dr. Ankita Sagar about the fundamental importance and role of advocacy and policy work in healthcare. Listen in to learn practical tools and strategies for advocacy at the local, regional, state, and national level, so that you can effectively incorporate this work into your career.

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Show Notes
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[0:00-2:04] Introduction 
  • Introduction of our co-hosts, guest, and the episode topic
​
[2:04-4:07] Introducing Guests Dr. Zoe Tseng and Dr. Ankita Sagar
  • Dr. Zoe Tseng
    • Internal Medicine specialist and primary care physician 
    • ​Instructor at Harvard Medical School
    • Faculty advisor for the Harvard Medical School Internal Medicine Interest Group
    • Faculty advisor and lecturer for the Harvard Medical School’s Internal Medicine residency Social Justice and Advocacy curriculum
    • Member of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American College of Physicians Governor’s Council
    • Co-chair of the MA ACP Chapter’s Health and Public Policy Committee 
  • Dr. Ankita Sagar
    • Internal Medicine specialist and primary care physician
    • Associate Professor of Medicine at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health
    • Director of Internal Medicine Health Policy curriculum at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health
    • Chair of Early Career Physicians Committee for NY Chapter of American College of Physicians

[4:07-6:37] “A Step in Your Shoes” Segment
[6:37-8:27] Overview of the American College of Physicians 
  • National organization of Internal Medicine specialists and subspecialists with 161,000 members 
  • Largest medical speciality organization and second largest physician group in the US
​
[8:27-10:59] What Health Advocacy Means to You
  • Dr. Ankita Sagar
    • Recognize, promote, defend, and sponsor policies for clinicians, patients, and healthcare workers that aim to better the system for future generations 
  • ​Dr. Zoe Tseng 
    • Support for patients beyond the direct and immediate clinical encounter
    • ​Advocate on different levels that match the issue at hand 

[10:59-16:59] COVID Advocacy and Upcoming Policy Concerns
  • Dr. Ankita Sagar
    • Focus on evidence-based medicine for vulnerable populations such as those impacted by structural racism
    • ​Emphasize wellness for clinicians and healthcare professionals to help in supporting an integration of life with work and to manage the emotional burden that can arise, especially in the context of a pandemic 
    • ACP Health Policy and Advocacy Committees work to support legislation that enables progress in these areas of evidence-based medicine and wellness
  • Dr. Zoe Tseng 
    • Highlight the ways in which social determinants of health (i.e. food insecurity, economic stability, etc.) impact patient health and insurance coverage 
    • Direct attention to the history of ongoing racial disparities in the delivery of healthcare that disproportionately limits people from access to equitable care
    • ACP supports universal coverage to mobilize support for all Americans to alleviate the cost and burden of accessing healthcare 
    • ACP continues to work internally to address existing racial disparities and take actions to advocate for systemic changes to better support our communities  

[16:59-21:45] Getting Involved in Health Advocacy
  • Dr. Zoe Tseng
    • Join or initiate your state’s ACP chapter Health and Public Policy Committee 
    • ​Participate in your state’s medical society to gain awareness on key issues
  • Dr. Ankita Sagar 
    • Find folks in your own community who are dedicated to recognizing, addressing, and advocating for the rectification of a shared concern 
    • ​Collaborate with others across training levels and disciplines to identify areas of concern that can be addressed and worked on, ACP committees allow for this breadth and depth of collaboration 

[21:45-27:13] How to be a Better Advocate
  • Dr. Zoe Tseng
    • Care about who or what you are advocating for (i.e. clinicians, patients, an issue, etc.) and translate that care into passion and action
    • Practice effective communication skills to better present what you care about 
    • Learn from others, become comfortable with not being an expert in everything and lean on the collective knowledge and support from others 
  • Dr. Ankita Sagar 
    • Practice advocacy with a similar mindset as to how one practices their physical exam skills, take the time to gather what is important to you and how to effectively communicate that 
    • ​Find a professional society, like ACP, that aligns with your values and learn from what has and has not worked for advocacy efforts in the past

[27:13-28:37] Closing

[28:37-29:42] Outro  
 
Additional Reading/Resources:
Commonwealth Magazine Eliminating Religious Exemptions:
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/abolish-the-vaccine-religious-exemption/
ACP Access to Care: 
https://www.acponline.org/advocacy/where-we-stand/access-to-care
ACP Racial Health Disparities, Prejudice, and Violence: https://www.acponline.org/advocacy/where-we-stand/racial-health-disparities-prejudice-and-violence
Dr. Ankita Sagar: @Sagar_Ankita (https://twitter.com/sagar_ankita) 
Mowgli: @pupmowgli (https://twitter.com/pupmowgli) 

Resources for physicians:
ACP Policy Paper on Physician Suicide Prevention: https://www.acponline.org/acp_policy/policies/physician_suicide_prevention_and_the_ethics_and_role_of_a_healing_community_2021.pdf
ACP Physician Guidance on Patient Trust: https://www.acponline.org/acp-newsroom/new-recommendations-offer-physicians-ethical-guidance-for-preserving-trust-in-patient-physician
AAFP Tips: https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/social_media_best_practices.html 
Emotional Support Hub from ACP: 
https://www.acponline.org/practice-resources/physician-well-being-and-professional-fulfillment/im-emotional-support-hub
ACP's Patients before Paperwork: https://www.acponline.org/advocacy/where-we-stand/patients-before-paperwork


Resources on advocacy:
ACP Advocacy landing page: https://www.acponline.org/advocacy
ACP Advocate newsletter: https://www.acponline.org/advocacy/acp-advocate
Massachusetts ACP Chapter Advocacy: https://www.acponline.org/about-acp/chapters-regions/united-states/massachusetts-chapter/public-policy-advocacy
New York ACP Chapter Advocacy: https://www.nyacp.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3936
ACP Women in Medicine:  https://www.acponline.org/advocacy/where-we-stand/women-in-medicine/top-10-things-you-can-do-to-impact-gender-equity-in-medicine


Credits:
Guests: Dr. Zoe Tseng, Dr, Ankita Sagar 
Co-hosts/Producers: Dr. Elisa Choi, Branden Barger
Executive Producer: Dr. Tammy Lin 
Co-Executive Producers: Dr. Pooja Jaeel, Dr. Tiffany Leung
Senior Producers: Dr. Maggie Kozman, Dr. DJ Gaines
Editor/Assistant Producer: Joanna Jain
Production Assistants: Alexandra Babakanian, Ann Truong, Likitha Aradhyula
Website/Art Design: Ann Truong
Music: Chris Dingman
 
Disclaimer: The DEI Shift podcast and its guests provide general information and entertainment, but not medical advice. Before making any changes to your medical treatment or execution of your treatment plan, please consult with your doctor or personal medical team. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by The DEI Shift. The views expressed by guests are their own, and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by The DEI Shift team are those of each individual, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The DEI Shift team and its guests, employers, sponsors, or organizations we are affiliated with. 
 
Season 3 of The DEI Shift podcast is proudly sponsored by the American College of Physicians Southern California Region III Chapter.  
 The DEI Shift theme music is by Chris Dingman. Learn more at www.chrisdingman.com. 
 
Contact us: [email protected], @thedeishift, thedeishift.com 



Disclaimer

.The DEI Shift podcast and its guests provide general information and entertainment, but not medical advice. Before making any changes to your medical treatment or execution of your treatment plan, please consult with your doctor or personal medical team. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by The DEI Shift. The views expressed by guests are their own, and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by The DEI Shift team are those of each individual, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The DEI Shift team and its guests, employers, sponsors, or organizations we are affiliated with.