As part of my overall marketing plan as a new physician in my community, I have been making every attempt to be involved as much as possible.To this end I have now joined three hospital physician committees. My initial thought was that being part of a committee would be boring, tedious work that would interrupt the little time I had with my family. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

My first committee was, of course, the general staff meetings. I loosely call this a committee, although all physicians are invited to these meetings. This is an opportune time to catch up with other doctors, and to keep your face visible in the medical community. I am well informed of the general policy changes and events in the hospital, many of which affect me directly. I also learned quickly who the “big players” are in the political arena of my small town.

Prior to my arrival at Mountain View Hospital, none of the physicians were using Ertapenem for the diabetic lower extremity infections. They were, unfortunately, unaware of the fine work of our colleagues with the SIDESTEP study. As a result, penems was used very little and only in very specific circumstances. I decided, therefore, to request Ertapenem to replace Meropenem on the hospital formulary. After some preparation, I brought my request to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and presented my request. After some discussion, it was determined to not only not add Ertapenem to the formulary, but to also eliminate Meropenem! As it turns out, we are able to order either of these medications within a four hour time period from sources outside the hospital. So, I'm able to use Ertapenem while the hospital reduces its cost by reducing its formulary. As a result of my request, though, I was asked to become a member of the committee as a representative from the surgery department. Committee number two!

A few days after this meeting, I received a letter from our chief of staff, who heard about the crazy podiatrist agreeing to extra committee work. In this letter, she requested I be a member of the Infection Control Committee. Committee number three!

Advertising. I’m building relationships with my referring doctors.
I’m learning in greater detail the way in which a hospital works. Most of the decisions in my hospital are made by committee. Knowledge of this structure is very helpful in understanding the overall structure of the community in which I live and work, thereby helping me maneuver within the system more effectively.
I continue to learn about medicine in general. Many of the topics we discuss only peripherally have to do with podiatry (TPN mixtures, for example). However, medicine is endlessly interesting, and my eyes are frequently opened to new medications, treatments, and guideline changes. In short, my committee work is broadening my knowledge as a physician. And they thought I was doing them a service !

In spite of the extra work and occasionally predawn hours, the benefits of membership in these various committees clearly outweigh the disadvantages.

Keep writing in with your thoughts and comments...we'll see you next week. Best wishes!