Representative Forum update

March 18, 2018

Hello Members:

Yesterday we wrapped up another successful Representative Forum meeting. You may have seen some media reports about the RF’s session on the AMA’s Income Equity Initiative. While many important topics were discussed, I thought I would take this opportunity to update you on that topic in particular.

The RF voted strongly to continue the work of the Income Equity Initiative. In the course of very collegial discussion, delegates also provided other excellent direction for the Board. One of the most important directives was that the process needs to remain open and transparent: we need to hear the voices of sections and members as we do this work.

Listening matters. One of the Board’s stated values is to act with integrity, honesty and openness (see our Vision, Mission and Values statement). As the media coverage has spotlighted, income equity is a difficult matter. There are many views to consider. It is important that we develop a common understanding, based on the best available evidence, as to what constitutes a fair distribution from that pool of funds.

With the oversight and guidance from RF, this work will continue in a manner that is responsible and respectful to our entire membership. I encourage all of you to visit the Income Equity Initiative section (member login required) of the AMA website to see what work has been done to date and the feedback received from sections along with member questions and comments related to this work.

It is important to remember that the Income Equity Initiative is only one of the many pieces of the overall Physician Compensation Strategy. The RF addressed a number of the other components as well this weekend. I will have updates to give you on those topics in the near future.

I always want to know what you think. You can reach me in the usual three ways:

• Communicate with me privately and directly by email if you would like a reply: president@albertadoctors.org
• Comment publicly on this President’s Letter below.
• Share your perspectives with colleagues in our Discussion Board for members only (member login required)

At your service,
Neil D.J. Cooper, MD, FRCPC, Dip. Sport Med.
President