Physicians may involve themselves in political advocacy as long as it does not damage patient relationships or erode access to health care. They may, in fact, have an obligation to do so.
Since 1997, there have been there have been 46 attempts in 21 states by optometry organizations to legislate surgery privileges, but medical organizations and state governments have been largely resistant to expanding optometrists’ scope of practice.
Physicians need to be aware of and guard against the liability risks of having nonphysician clinicians provide services that do not meet the standard of care of the practice due to the staff member's inadequate experience or supervision.
A physician advocate who has taken public advocacy stances against the federal government while employed by the government talks about the conflicts that arise between medicine and politics.