Rheumatology fellowship programs lack formal curricular content to educate trainees about legislative and regulatory health care policies that have a profound impact on academic and community practices. Advocacy 101 was created as a program to address this gap and engage fellows-in-training (FIT) in health advocacy efforts.
A web-based survey was sent via the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) FIT listserve in July 2015 and April 2016. The survey queried respondents about their knowledge of and participation in health policy and advocacy. Survey results guided the design of an educational program called Advocacy 101 for FIT and program directors in conjunction with the ACR Advocates for Arthritis fly-in meeting.
The survey response rate increased from 19% in 2015 (95 of 500 FIT) to 39% in 2016 (231 of 595 FIT). In 2015, the top reason for nonparticipation in health policy and advocacy efforts (64% of respondents) was lack of knowledge on how to get involved. This reason decreased to 39% of respondents in 2016. Other barriers to participation included lack of time and familiarity with the issues. Over the 2 years, FIT identified patient access to medication and insurance, and physician reimbursement as important advocacy issues. All participants of Advocacy 101 reported an increase in knowledge of health policy and the intent to stay involved.
FIT regard health policy issues as important, but many are uncertain of how to participate in advocacy. Advocacy 101 is the first program designed to educate and engage rheumatology FIT in health policy and advocacy endeavors.