SAN DIEGO - Collaboration and innovation are keys to success for a better, more equitable healthcare future after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to experts at a plenary session March 13 at the 2022 American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) annual meeting.
In his presentation, Dr. Gerald Harmon, president of the American Medical Association (AMA), talked about organized medicine's value in policymaking, innovation, and improving work environments for healthcare workers, including ultrasound staff.
"It's been almost 24 months since ... we entered a new world," Harmon said. "The last 24 months have been challenging for all of us. You all [healthcare workers] are personal heroes."
Harmon has over 30 years of experience in family medicine and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard. Having held numerous leadership positions in the AMA, he became the association's 176th president in 2021.
Dr. Gerald Harmon, president of the AMA, talked about creating an improved, more equitable healthcare future following the COVID-19 pandemic at the 2022 AIUM annual meeting. The keys to this, he said, are collaboration, innovation, and better digital access.While the pandemic has led to physician burnout as hospitals treated COVID-19 patients, it has also led to a renewed purpose for many, Harmon said.
"This is what we've been training for. This is what we went to school for," Harmon said. "We don't want a pandemic to be able to say we're exercising our training, but this is why we're here."
For a better healthcare future, Harmon touched on four points. These points include:
- Speaking out for science against misinformation and disinformation
- Making way for a pandemic recovery and creating a healthcare system with better funding and equipment
- Working with other medical and healthcare organizations on joint priorities
- Having physicians involved in all stages of technology development
Harmon also talked about some joint projects the AMA and the AIUM are working on. These include policy initiatives such as diagnostic ultrasound utilization and education, privileging ultrasound imaging, and reimbursement for office-based or outpatient ultrasound.
"We believe that is paramount and important, the educational process of physicians and everyone in training," Harmon said. "We want to make sure these ... get reimbursed. These things are important to us."
AIUM president Dr. Levon Nazarian said that for the healthcare future Harmon spoke of to become a reality, ultrasound needs to be a central part.
"We have to provide equitable care to the needy. Ultrasound's cost and accessibility is ideal for that. We have to find more cost-effective ways," Nazarian said. "I believe these align with the AMA's goals."
Harmon said better access to digital resources in health is a must, and that he finds that many physicians don't want to go back to using mainly nondigital resources. He also said developments in telehealth and artificial intelligence will help drive equitable care.
"There are areas where you just can't get cell [phone] service. You're out of contact," he said. "For telehealth advocacy, you've gotta have infrastructure."
Harmon added that with today's challenges, ultrasound professionals have the opportunity to help support efforts improving patient care, as well as supporting each other.
"Being a doctor today is a challenge, but it's such a wonderful thing," Harmon said. "With the pandemic and the global turmoil, this is what we are here for, to advance our profession and our technology. It's time for us to act within ourselves, and I think all of us are doing that, and we're proud to be able to represent the healthcare profession."
