ࡱ> HJG *bjbj 40*/////CCCCW<C%$$$$$$$$')T$/$//$.//$$x#h$4MC#$$0%#)) $$J)/J$@$$%) : The Letter-to-the-Editor Bringing Health Care Issues to the People The Letter to the Editor is one of the most powerful ways to influence public opinion. As medical student, you have expertise in your knowledge of healthcare, and your opinions are well respected by the community. The media is notorious for its misleading and politicized reporting of health care issues, and our letters serve to educate and clarify important health care issues. To locate newspapers and other media sources, or to submit letters electronically, visit  HYPERLINK "http://action.amsa.org/o/2083/p/dia/action/public/" ŷAƬ's Legislative Action Center.  DateSeptember 7, 1999 Letter-to-the-Editor The Daily Planet 3423 Main Street NW Metropolis, NY 12345 Dear Editor: As a Metropolis School of Medicine medical student, and an avid supporter of the super-hero Health-Care Man, I am writing in response to the September 3rd article, "Superman: The Champion of the People." Although your article justifiably praised Sup's contributions to society, it failed to mention Health-Care Man's extensive service for the public good. For years the Daily Planet has given Superman an enormous amount of attention - you would think that Superman worked there - and has failed to recognize other deserving individuals. I would like to take this opportunity to familiarize you with Health-Care Man's past accomplishments: Health-Care Man helped the public health department enforce safety regulations on the Tox-Prod chemical plant. This action was projected to have saved dozens of factory workers and reduced a worker's risk of having children with birth defects by 50 percent. Health-Care Man also passed a restriction on tobacco advertising to minors which will prevent thousands of America's young people from ever starting smoking. Health-Care Man has made numerous public appearances informing the good citizens of Metropolis how to develop a healthy lifestyle. Health-Care Man battled a terrible case of the flu. Health-Care Man does not have all of the traits of traditional superheroes; he cannot fly; bullets will kill him; he doesn't have X-ray vision; and he can't sing. However his contribution to society must not be overlooked. He is a hero, a patriot, a kind and gentle man and most definitely a champion of the people. I strongly urge the Daily Planet to salute Health-Care Man and his valiant service to the good people of Metropolis. Sincerely, Thurston Coppertop 334 Old Main Street SE Metropolis, NY 12345 (123) 456-7890 Address of the newspaper.Identify yourself and the article that you are responding to in the first paragraph.Let the editor know why you are writing in. Do you agree / disagree with the article?Conclude with a short summary of your position.Provide contact information in case a writer wants to follow up on your letter and has additional questions.  Sample Resident Work Hour Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, On April 30, Senator Jon Corzine introduced the Patient and Physician Safety and Protection Act (S. 952). This bill addresses the issue of excessive hours worked by resident physicians, an issue familiar to medical students like myself, but one that only recently has received public attention. Physicians in training are responsible for providing much of first-line care for patients seen in teaching hospitals. Currently, the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) regulations allow hospitals to average resident work hours over a four week period and programs may even apply for exemptions to the regulations. These loopholes in addition to the poor enforcement track record of the ACGME put both patients and residents at risk. A recent study found that after 24 hours of wakefulness, cognitive function deteriorated to a level equivalent to having a .1% blood alcohol level. The law dictates that these people are too impaired to drive a car, yet we permit them to perform surgery and make life and death decisions. Furthermore, the ACGME regulations neither allow public disclosure of hospitals that repeatedly violate resident work hour policy nor provide the funding needed to help hospitals comply. Is this a problem for patients? 60% of 4,500 of obstetricians surveyed in one study felt that the hours they work compromise the care that they give. These are the people who deliver our babies and perform delicate life-saving surgery on our loved ones. On a personal note, I went to medical school to be able to provide high quality health care, but it discourages me to see medical professionals falling asleep during surgery, being curt with their patients, and making medical errors all because they are not allowed time to sleep. In this country we invest tremendous resources in expensive technology and premiere medical training, but all this is for naught if we don't allow these people enough rest to do their jobs with accuracy and compassion. The Corzine bill limits resident work hours to no more than 80 hours per week and no more than 24-hour shifts. The ŷAƬ and the Center for Patient Advocacy both support this bill, and I believe that anyone concerned about public health and safety should support it also. These are clearly not leisurely work hours, but are intended to end the abuses occurring now, and I believe it is a step in the right direction. 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