
The Member as an Advocate for NCS
By PJ Papadakos, MD, FCCM, FAARC
Over the last decade, I have observed the
rapid growth of our society as we have
progressed into a worldwide professional
organization advocating for state-of-the-art
care of critically ill patients suffering from
neurological conditions. This growth has
led to the widespread availability of neuro-
ICUs staffed by dedicated professionals in
many communities. However, often rapid
growth leads to confusion in the community regarding exactly
what it is we do. How have we added to the care of patients, and
what has the impact of providing this care delivered to our local
communities? It is my opinion that each individual member is
able to act as an advocate for our society and, more importantly,
advocate how great an impact our patient care has in local
communities and throughout the world.
How can we as individuals act as advocates for NCS? Many
opportunities exist for advocating in both our facilities and our
communities. Volunteer to give grand rounds at your facility,
presenting what you do to other departments. This will not
only orient other professional colleagues to the broad medical
knowledge that you bring to the table, but also provide a tool
to recruit residents and students to the field. Arrange with your
hospital leadership and public relations department to give
a mini ENLS course about the premier program of our
society to board members and community leaders.
This will garner awareness of the program and
demonstrate how this will affect patient
outcomes through standards such as
the ACLS and ATLS. This mini ENLS
experience may also be presented to your
local media. It makes a great public
relations story and gives wonderful
exposure to your unit and facility.
ADVOCACY
Involvement in the education of EMS and first responders is
another great way to advocate for our society and your facility.
Educating pre-hospital staff about the importance of triaging
patients to facilities with the resources of a neurocritical care unit
raises the standard of patient care. Presentations to community
organizations also elevates exposure of what we do. We are ideal
speakers on the topics of stroke care, brain injury and spinal
trauma. The public is always interested in these topics and is
comforted that such resources are available locally.
We are experts in critical, neurological illness and should be at the
forefront in the sponsorship of community activities, such as stroke
and brain injury runs and golf outings. We should be educating
parent groups on the importance of bike helmets and the scourge of
distracted driving. This will greatly raise our exposure to the public
and make us a valuable community resource.
In summary, the time is right that each unit should take on the
role of advocate, resource and educator. Thorough local advocacy
will add much to our specialty and garner professional fulfillment.
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