Why Policy and Legislation Work is Far from Boring: A Psychiatrist’s Journey
As part of PRMS’ ongoing commitment to behavioral health, we are pleased to feature Dr. Ronald Thurston, Psychiatric Physicians Alliance of California (PPAC) President and Founding Member, as a featured guest blogger this month. Dr. Thurston details his career path in advocacy and why he became involved in PPAC.
The Journey from Individual Care to Policy Impact
Everybody says work on policy and legislation is boring, but I’ll tell you why it’s not.
Long ago and far away, I was young psychiatrist who thought my training and education would make a big difference in peoples’ lives. Well, it did, does, and it’s still satisfying work. But here’s the thing: It only helps one person at a time. Okay, and their families, as well – and okay, maybe a beneficent ripple in universe. But it’s still a pebble-sized ripple, one person at a time. So, then I thought bigger. Out of the office, into hospital, into organized medicine, and into teaching clinical skills at a university. Bigger ripples! Bigger satisfaction!
Early on, I also joined my local APA District Branch Government Affairs Committee (GAF). Way before electronic communication, the postal service delivered newsprint copies of bills. We discussed them as if it were a journal club, for our own edification, without input on output. Bored and baffled, I made my way to the statewide government affairs committee at the California Psychiatric Association, where I was chair of the GAC for many years, and at one time, the president of the Association.
The Power of Legislative Advocacy in Psychiatry
But I digress. At the state level, we were able to have in-person meetings with professional legislative advocates, and eventually hired the best there (still) is, Randall Hager. He has both heart and expertise and is the crucial link between our ground-level experience and the machinations and miracles of legislation, where rules are made and money is spent. Really big ripples in California and—by emulation—far beyond. It is constant competition in Sacramento, a game of adversaries and allies, and it really is true that, if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu. It makes boring sound good.
Making Waves: How You Can Contribute to Policy and Legislation
Statewide, we’re still at it, working in the shadow of the maelstrom, now and after expert-based, expert-implemented legislation for our profession and the people we serve. Advocacy and public policy are essential pillars of our profession. I learned my lesson.
And here’s the final thing. You do not have to personally participate in our work to preserve and enhance psychiatric care and access, although you are more than welcome to join our advocacy efforts. Join us at PPAC! Make ripples where you live, waves if you can, but toss a pebble for our common good. We’ll make waves. Learn more about PPAC at www.psychiatristsca.org.
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