In the past, I’ve discussed the appeal of using blogs and other forms of social media as a means of adding one’s voice to the ongoing national conversation about healthcare delivery and finance, and what the future holds for physicians in this country. Several of our readers responded to our call for writers and have since contributed some of the best columns and blog posts we’ve published this year. I’d like to extend the offer again and invite interested readers to become columnists and bloggers for our website and print publications. There is definitely no shortage of material to write about.

From fallout from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to the enduring disaster that is malpractice insurance and medical litigation in the absence of true tort reform, to the uncertainty that still attends the system of federal health IT incentives, to the constant erosion of physicians’ earning power, to the gathering threat to physicians’ professional autonomy by an increasingly interventionist federal government (just ask your colleagues who specialize in pain medicine what it’s like to constantly feel like a target, never knowing if your next prescription will be the one the results in an audit or worse), to the effect of all of this on physicians’ morale, and more -- never has it been more important that individuals voice their opinions, and seek counsel and collaboration from colleagues.

During the healthcare reform debate in particular, we heard physician after physician express frustration over what they perceived as a lack of effective national leadership and the absence of a true advocate for the interests and concerns of American physicians. The remedy for this must take many forms, but one way to get started is to reclaim your own voice and engage your colleagues and patients. This is especially important when it comes to educating the public. Until more physicians speak out, Americans will be left to sort through the misinformation, half-truths, and distortions they hear from politicians and the media who, to put it lightly, do not always have physicians’ best interests at heart.

As a publisher, I retain my belief in the power of the written word. Sometimes, all it takes is one voice -- one thought-provoking column or blog post -- to start a conversation that can help connect like-minded colleagues, expose participants to new viewpoints and perspectives, and plant the seeds for a thriving and supportive community. All you need to do is take the first step.

We are looking for physicians from all specialties and practice settings to join our network. Let us take care of all the details -- we’ll create a blog for you on HCPLive.com, design a distinctive logo or graphic, and post the content when you send it to us. All you have to do is share your ideas and opinions. We'll feature the best posts in the weekly eDigests we send to thousands of your peers and colleagues. Your insights also may be featured in the pages of our print publications. And the best part is that you can write about the issues and ideas that matter most to you -- you pick the topics, you set the tone.

It's time to join the conversation. Email blogs@hcplive.com and become a blogger on the HCPLive.com network.

Thank you for reading!

Mike Hennessy