FCEP leaders work tirelessly throughout the year with targeted advocacy efforts on behalf of emergency physicians and patients across our state. Thanks to our continued efforts, the landscape for the practice of emergency medicine in Florida is among the best in the entire country. However, we must continue to fight back efforts that threaten the safety of our patients: scope of practice expansion for non-physician providers, unfair reimbursements from insurance payors and PIP repeal, while supporting efforts that increase penalties for assault against healthcare providers and COVID liability protections for healthcare professionals. 

As we begin to emerge from the global coronavirus pandemic, there are many new struggles we must face. ACEP just completed and released the results of a two-year task force that evaluated the employment market for EM physicians across the country. This data indicates we could have approximately 10,000 “surplus” physicians in the job market by 2030. As daunting as that figure may seem, thankfully, we have the time to correct our course for the future.

As a result, ACEP is working collaboratively with various emergency medicine specialty organizations to tackle this problem head on. The best and brightest minds in our specialty across the country are working together to identify the problems, including the rapid expansion of residency programs (where Florida is leading the country), the continued infringement of non-physician practitioners, and the role of private equity in practice of medicine (and emergency medicine specifically). I trust that when we work together, we can find solutions to take back emergency medicine for the safety and well-being of our patients receiving the most advanced, high-quality care they deserve. If you are interested in getting engaged in the on-going conversations, visit the ACEP Workforce page or feel free to reach out to me directly at shaynegue@hotmail.com.

Although there are many challenges ahead, we must continue to support one another and remember to devote time to personal wellness. Unsurprisingly, burnout remains on-the-rise as emergency physicians continue to fight on the front lines against COVID-19 while struggling with the aforementioned challenges. Unfortunately, physician suicide rates continue to climb with as many as 300 physicians dying by suicide each year (learn more here). Recently, our specialty lost another great physician, advocate, and friend to suicide. Dr. Brian Fletcher was a beacon of light in our specialty and a member of our LGBTQ community, who tragically chose to end his own life. So many continue to suffer in silence—please lean on one another for support and help!  ACEP offers a myriad of services to promote wellness and resiliency, and every ACEP member has access to three free counseling or wellness sessions (learn more here). Please take advantage of any and all resources available and reach out when you need help. We are in this together, and we will make it through together.

As challenging as the future may seem, I am confident that we will make it out on the other side stronger and better than ever. Emergency physicians are among the best and brightest; I am confident that when we work together, we can overcome these obstacles and create a brighter future for our specialty.