Just Say No!

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Does anyone remember this slogan from the 1980s?

Nancy Reagan’s war on drugs?

I’m not so sure the campaign was all that successful, but I do think she was on to something.

No. It’s a full sentence. (Credit to a very smart DPC doctor for that quote)

No.

Just say it.

Mean it.

And maybe make a difference…

Imagine if we took that slogan and applied it to medicine.

Imagine if physicians JUST SAID NO to all the useless administrative tasks we are asked to do.

Imagine if physicians JUST SAID NO to all the absurdities required of our profession.

Imagine if physicians JUST SAID NO to all the nonsense that insurance companies ask of us.

I imagine conversations like this:

“Dr. Lucia, please complete this prior authorization for Ms. Crawford so she may have her $11 Rx.”

“No. I won’t participate in something that trivial.”

“Dr. Williams, might you complete your meaningful use metrics, so that we can submit a charge for Billy’s visit?“

“No. That is not in the patient’s best interest.”

“Dr. Caldwell, kindly speak with this insurance-employed doctor for Mrs. Stewart’s ‘peer-to-peer’ review.”

“No. I won’t do that. That is NOT a peer-to-peer. A neurosurgeon-to-neurosurgeon is a peer-to-peer

peer. That is a peer to colleague.”

Imagine if ALL physicians did this. ALL OF THEM. EVERY SINGLE ONE.

We could take medicine back from the insurance companies, the administrators and the bean-counters.

Medicine could be for patients & doctors; the way it was intended.

So yes, Nancy Reagan.

We should “Just Say No!”

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About Amy Walsh, MD

Family always comes first: I am married to Whitey and can't imagine life without him. I have 4 great kids who screw up from time to time; but they are still pretty damn cool. Dog mom to 2 yellow labs who are exhausting and messy, but we love them. Happy DPC doctor since 2015 as the system wore me down and made me miserable. Luckily I found DPC. I found “my people” and never looked back. DPC was my best career decision without a doubt. Former varsity gymnast at the University of Michigan: I refer to those years as my “first life.” I learned about hard work, goal setting, and most importantly the value of true friendship. Hey, did you know UM gymnastics won NCAA Natty in 2021. Such a proud moment.Go Blue! Have been accused of being Type A, OCD, perfectionist, competitive. I may agree with most of those, but prefer words like focused, determined and committed. See? I have learned to use those all to my advantage.