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We are stronger when we are together. That’s the AMA’s motto, but Harris—a former member of the APA Board of Trustees—said those are not just words. “We do not defeat psychologist prescribing in Georgia, for example, without working with the Georgia Medical Society and other medical specialty societies,” Harris said, explaining the need for physicians to work together across disciplines. And she urged psychiatrists to join the AMA. Harris spoke with Psychiatric News during the annual meeting of the AMA House of Delegates this week in Chicago. At this year’s meeting the House of Delegates is considering reports and resolutions related to health care reform, Medicare payment, Medicaid reform, support for state psychiatric services, and use of antipsychotic medications in nursing homes. For coverage of these key issues, watch for future issues of Psychiatric News.
Harris is one of a number of psychiatrists who have assumed leadership positions at the AMA, including Jeremy Lazarus, M.D., who will be inaugurated as only the second psychiatrist president of the AMA this week. For information see Psychiatric News, here. For a video of Harris’ remarks this week click here.
(Image: courtesy of Patrice Harris, M.D.)