When it comes to what works in health care, few have a clearer vantage point than those who directly encounter patients. That includes medical students.

Despite having fewer clinical encounters than practicing physicians, medical students bring fresh perspectives, firsthand experiences and an understanding of systemic challenges. Because of that, medical student insights can help elected officials gain necessary context on health care-related policy. But how do medical students effectively communicate their vantage point to politicians? 

Anita Somani, MD, is an ob-gyn and Ohio state representative. She has successfully navigated both the medical and political arenas. In a presentation to medical students during the AMA Advocacy in Action Workshop—an event offering medical students grassroots advocacy skills training—she offered guidance on best practices for engaging with local officials. Here are a few key takeaways.

The first and easiest way to get an issue on the policy radar is a phone call or an email, Dr. Somani said. 

“Emails work, phone calls work, and we all have to be taking the time to do that,” she said.

As an elected official, “when we get these emails from constituents and we see a barrage of emails, we recognize that—oh, this is an important issue.”

For medical students looking to shape the future of medicine, the upcoming AMA Medical Student Advocacy Conference (MAC)—taking place March 6–7 in Washington, D.C.—is a venue in which they can amplify their collective voice and create a brighter tomorrow for physicians and patients. The conference is an opportunity for medical students to hone valuable leadership and advocacy skills that can help them distinguish themselves during the residency application process. 

Written or verbal testimony is another indirect but impactful mechanism to gain attention from a policymaker. 

“Whether you write a letter, you submit written testimony, you submit verbal testimony—that’s what real advocacy is, and that's how I got started,” Dr. Somani said, noting that her history as an advocate dates back more than a decade. 

If you do offer testimony, Dr. Somani said it’s important to own your expertise. Even as a medical student, you are very likely going to be much more knowledgeable about an issue than a lawmaker. 

“You are the expert in the room,” she said. “You are the person who knows most about the issue that you're talking about.”

Dive deeper:  

• How to boost your medical student leadership skill set 
• Why medical students should get involved in local advocacy 
• Tips to find enriching medical student leadership opportunities 
• 3 keys for medical student advocates on Capitol Hill 

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Most elected officials have a mechanism through which you can request a meeting on their website. That is often a starting point for earning face time.

It is likely easier to get a meeting on the books if you go in with a group of peers through organized medicine.

“Every state has a medical association that feeds into the American Medical Association,” Dr. Somani said. “So it’s really important to utilize those resources.”

In any form of outreach to a lawmaker, it’s key to speak their language. 

“If there is a bill already out there, know the bill number, know the name of the sponsor so you can talk directly to them and then know where the committee process is,” Dr. Somani said. “Has it come up for a vote? Are we just in hearings for and against the issue?”

Dive deeper:  

• 5 steps for medical students to make an impact in letters to Congress
• Looking to find time for medical student advocacy? Here’s how 
• 5 tips for medical students looking to get an op-ed published 

In any interactions with lawmakers, your goal should go beyond raising awareness—you need to ask for something specific. 

Some examples of that request might include: 

• “We urge you to vote for this bill.”
• “We urge you to co-sponsor this legislation.”
• “We are requesting that you meet with our group before the next vote.”

Learn how the AMA’s advocacy network and training can turn your passions into health policy. Connect with nearly 52,000 AMA student members as you get hands-on experience advocating for change at the state and federal levels through trainings, meetings and events in Washington, D.C.—and online.