As healthcare organizations evolve into larger, more complex care delivery systems, doctors are assuming new clinical leadership and governance roles. These doctor leaders need support and resources to navigate their new responsibilities. The Center and affiliate member Hospira recently published a monograph to share insights on the role physician organizations play in developing these care delivery systems. The report, Governance of Physician Organizations: An Essential Step to Care Integration, offers recommendations on how to build and sustain an effective physician organization.

The takeaway from the report is that it’s time to re-examine the way we think about doctor organization. Traditionally, the organization of physicians has focused on unionization. But in the wake of a growing movement of doctors seeking greater control over their work lives, there are other ways to organize. One is to join a physician association or community of physicians, which can offer a variety of benefits beyond collective bargaining.

These associations and communities can also help create a framework for addressing the issues that are driving many doctors to consider the idea of unionization. These include the growing burnout from the administrative burden of EHRs, the frustration over financial barriers that impact patients’ ability to pay for health care and the lack of respect from corporate owners who put profits above patients. These are just a few of the issues that led 600 doctors at Allina Health to vote in favor of representation with Doctors Council SEIU earlier this year.

While the number of doctors who have voted to organize is small, the growing movement has given pause to some in the business of managing doctors. Some employers are already taking note of the need for doctor organization and are implementing changes to their systems and practices in order to meet this demand.

A recent article in the New York Times outlines the need for more robust doctor organization, with a particular focus on unionization. The author, Eric Topol, is a well-known cardiologist and frequent contributor to major publications inside and outside of medicine. His call for organization of doctors is rooted in his view that burnout and disillusionment with the system is due to the non-system of healthcare failing both patients and the doctors who provide the care.

This month the AFT launched a brand new division, Union Physicians of AFT, to focus on organizing doctors across the country. We need to see this effort grow. To make a difference, we need exact numbers from doctors who can demonstrate their losses, including lost wages, due to career disruption and early retirement from the demands of EHRs, and the costs of therapy and counseling for depression and burnout. If enough doctors can provide these figures they will attract a top legal team to win their case for the right to organize. We can do this. It’s time to take back medicine.