I can’t wait to see what next year’s COD brings. What a great time to be a family physician! SAPHU PRADHAN, MD, FAAFP, UAFP ALTERNATE DELEGATE Throughout my years of involvement with the AAFP in various roles, I have considered it a privilege to be among the most passionate family physicians in the country, discussing important issues facing our profession, our patients and the communities we serve. I have trusted the AAFP to stand behind science, defend our scope of practice and take an objective approach on charged issues to accomplish our shared goal of providing holistic care. In past years, the camaraderie between diverse-minded colleagues and our ability to reach an agreement on various issues were matters of conversation and mutual understanding. However, this year, I was skeptical of finding common ground as topics that were previously taken for granted have now become controversial. I was anticipating a COD meeting with vaguely worded speeches that would tread lightly on those issues, and expected that the delegates and alternate delegates would assume divisive positions. Surprisingly, the speeches were quite open and direct, recognizing that we are living in a dynamic era and our ability to care for patients has been overshadowed by fears that were previously not a threat. The progress we have made over decades of hard work to serve all populations in this vast nation is being reversed, further limiting access to healthcare and our ability to provide it. Family medicine relies on our ability to establish trust and build relationships with the human beings we serve; to develop an understanding of their values and beliefs; to take into consideration the issues they face in daily life that may interfere with their ability to access appropriate and adequate care; to take into account their mental health as a significant part of their overall state of health and wellbeing; and to guide them through the scientific basis of their diagnosis and management of their conditions. Our practices are now limited regarding which human beings we may serve, who may receive our services, what kind of services we may provide, which services are unavailable, who can afford care and the extent of the care we may provide within these boundaries. The obstacles we are facing seem vast and insurmountable. Once again, the assembly of national leaders and state representatives that participated in the COD meeting brought reassurance, reinforcing that we are not alone and we are not helpless. State chapters, including ours, remain united with a common purpose. National leaders are working with other healthcare organizations to address each challenge and develop creative strategies to provide evidence-based, high-quality care to the human beings we call patients. I hope all Utah family physicians can find support and understanding in this organization. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your alternate delegate. UAFP Delegation, L to R: Dr. Chad Spain, Dr. Thea Sakata, UAFP CEO Maryann Martindale, Dr. Nick Duncan, and Dr. Saphu Pradhan 15
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