October 21, 2024
South Carolina Medical Association Launches Your Care Is At Our Core Advocacy Campaign
Nina Jackson
njackson@scmedical.org
(803) 237-3148
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Medical Association (SCMA) is proud to launch the Your Care Is At Our Core campaign in partnership with the American Medical Association (AMA) to strengthen the bond between patients and their physicians, the foundation of health care.
Over the past few years, physicians have faced growing challenges fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic, debates over science and evidence-based care, and the spread of mis- and disinformation. These factors have distracted from what matters most: the connection between America’s physicians and their patients.
“As physicians, patient care is at the center of what we do and why we do it,” said M. Mayes DuBose, M.D., president of SCMA. “We work hard to earn our patients’ trust, and we want to be the ones to care for them. SCMA is prepared to fight for more patient-physician face-to-face time amid the continued barriers put in front of us, especially scope of practice expansion.”
The data speak for themselves – 89 percent of patients agree that the doctor-patient relationship is central to health care, and 79 percent agree that bureaucratic red tape makes it harder for physicians to provide the best care to patients.[1]
Unfortunately, decisions made by third parties such as insurance companies, pharmacy benefit managers and hospitals are dramatically limiting both the time physicians can spend with their patients and the treatments they can provide to heal and bring comfort. Additionally, the discussion of scope of practice expansion is becoming more prevalent in South Carolina. A full 95 percent of South Carolina patients say it’s important for a physician to be involved in their diagnosis and treatment, while 91 percent agree that a physician’s education and training are critical for optimal care.
“The expansion of the scope of practice threatens to erode these essential patient-physician relationships, which SCMA is committed to protecting,” explains Dr. DuBose. “It’s crucial to explore other ways of increasing access without jeopardizing patient care or increasing costs.”
Health care can be an especially vulnerable space for patients, and establishing a meaningful patient-physician relationship is necessary to build trust and provide the most effective care and treatment.
“Physicians are drawn to medicine to heal and change lives for the better,” said AMA President Bruce A. Scott, M.D. “Too often these days, administrative burdens and red tape eat into our time with patients and create barriers in the patient-physician relationship. Building and maintaining this relationship is critical for establishing trust and achieving positive health outcomes in our communities, and we must make that our focal point.”
SCMA works for physicians, fighting for less bureaucracy and more time with patients. We will continue to amplify these efforts through the Your Care is At Our Core campaign.
[1] Results from a National Online Survey of 1,000 voters conducted March 8-10, 2023 on behalf of the AMA.
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About South Carolina Medical Association
Founded in 1848, the South Carolina Medical Association is the premier organization for South Carolina physicians of every specialty and geographic location across the state. Its purpose is to advocate for quality medical care and good health on behalf of the citizens of South Carolina, as well as to represent the physician voice — regardless of their practice setting.
About the American Medical Association
The American Medical Association is the physician’s powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care. The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.
