Advocacy
"For three decades I have witnessed a relentless campaign by nurse anesthetists for greater income from their employers--and, more recently, for a bigger share of the total professional anesthesia payments. Since the public has consistently valued the skills of highly educated physicians more than those of medically directed nurses, CRNAs have become frustrated. The campaign now involves assertions of equivalence through sponsored studies, "doctor" degrees and improper promotions. I understand the pursuit of money, and have enjoyed the spectacle, but I worry increasingly about patient safety as this drama plays on."
- From: "Pursuing Money, Buying Studies: The Beat Goes On" by Robert Johnstone in Anesthesiology News, Dec 2010 (Read More)
“One strategy for anesthesiologists to address ACOs and other bundled payment proposals emerges from the common criticisms that our health care system is fragmented, wasteful and of middling quality. Anesthesiologists already direct surgical suites, coordinate schedules and lead patient programs. Expanding their perioperative physician roles to include overall coordination of perioperative and acute hospital care would meet an essential ACO need."
-From: "ACO Angst: Think Home Sweet Home" by Robert Johnstone in Anesthesiology News, July 2011 (Read More)
"Advocacy means getting involved, participating, contributing, and describing anesthesiology to others. It means protecting patients and representing colleagues by improving the quality of anesthesia care. It's explaining how physician education, anesthesiologist knowledge, and investments in perioperative care advance patient safety. Advocacy is telling others our story, one central to the advancement of all medical care, and identifying anesthesiologists as physicians providing the lifeline of modern medicine. Advocacy is important to anesthesiologists."
-From: "Celebrating Advocacy" by Robert Johnstone in ASA Newsletter, July 2009 (Read More)
"Anesthesiologists are well positioned to tell the public about the specialty and to have their comments accepted. Because we live in a 24/7 news world, and opportunities to communicate can come and go quickly, preparing beforehand helps anesthesiologists improve their effectiveness."
-From: "Spokesperson Media Training: Bridging, Flagging, Staying on Message" by Daniel Jancik and Robert Johnstone in ASA Newsletter, August 2010 (Read More)
Click Each Picture To Enlarge
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Awarding Jocelyn Moore, Legislative Director for Senator Jay Rockefeller, the 2009 Excellence in Government Award, at the ASA Legislative Conference |
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Johnstone and other West Virginia anesthesiologists visiting with Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, who has been very supportive of anesthesiology issues |
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Senator Rockefeller introduced the Medicare Anesthesiology Teaching Rule that corrected the 50 percent reduction in payments for teaching anesthetics. Robert and Carol Johnstone visiting with Senator Rockefeller at a picnic at his WV house |
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WV anesthesiologists dining with Rep Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) - a loyal supporter of anesthesiologists. In picture, Dr/Mrs Ozzie Ozturk, Drs. Mario Serafini, Robert Johnstone, and Alex Skaff |
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Dr. Johnstone mentors WV anesthesiologists at national meetings. Here at the ASA House of Delegates with WV delegates. In picture, Drs. Russell Stewart, Anne Hackett, Robert Johnstone, and Mario Serafini |