By Maggie Armbruster, CMT, AHDI-F
AHDI-West, Legislative Liaison

When I first got into advocacy, it was for reasons other than my understanding of government doings or that I felt I had a pressing need to go to the legislators with a message. I attended for the mere reason that I wanted to go to Sacramento with my friend, Sandy, for the experience of being in Sacramento. I knew I had to go to the capitol and participate, and maybe learn something; however, I was hoping we’d finish up that agenda and go have some fun on the town, eat a good meal, and get to network with friends and peers – that’s what I was after. Surprisingly I got that and more. When we arrived in the capitol, I was thrilled by the landscaping, the building, and the beauty of the architecture and art inside. While attending the meetings with the group, my eyes were scanning from ceiling to floor, taking in the interesting history and décor of each office. The messages I was hearing started to make sense, got me thinking about my own transcription service and transcription school, and suddenly a sense of urgency arose. I had to get involved now and I had a reason. I wanted the officials to know that medical transcription was a profession and not a joke – that our jobs needed definition and we had to come out from behind the desks in our home offices, make it known who we are, what we do, and the importance of our tasks.

Following Sacramento, Sandy and I signed up for our first national advocacy in Washington DC. Again, I felt like I was going on a holiday. Upon arrival to DC, the same magnificence of the historical buildings, monuments, and the capitol itself brought a sense of intrigue and importance. We spent 2 days speaking with legislators, learning the ropes from our peers who had done this before, and it was actually easy. You have to remind yourself that these officials are in these offices because of our votes, and the messages that we had regarding our profession were well received and appropriate to the time

While we did benefit from the opportunity to steal away for a few hours here and there, and managed to shop, tour the Capitol, tour Arlington’s cemetery, did a nighttime run to the White House in the rain (stood at the fence in the pouring rain for one minute – imagining what it must be like to live there – wondering if the residents are looking out to see strangers holding onto a fence in a downpour ). Any anxiety that I came with was quickly dismissed as I began to formulate ideas of my own about why my presence was important.

I’m going back in March 2010; my thoughts about this career go along with this group attending with me; however, I have been able to add to the group message my own ideas of where medical transcription is heading and why quality documentation is important for patient safety, in addition to the importance of educating students to a level where they can actually function as qualified and skilled workers. Then there are my thoughts and opinions as they relate to my medical transcription service and the many opportunities of this career.

The travel is awesome and the company great fun. Consider joining us and give it a try. If you can’t travel, you can be involved virtually. The experiences have brought an important change to how I feel professionally. Advocacy, for me, has brought me full circle in my career and ultimately connected the ends.