Policy and Advocacy

Medical Family Therapists (MedFTs) have opportunities to be advocates for healthcare reform and healthcare policy at local, regional, state, and national levels. As systemic thinkers, MedFTs are encouraged to look beyond individual factors and consider the macrolevel influences that impact the health of patients and families (Edwards et al., 2014).

MedFTs can be advocates by offering their expertise and taking a stance on key issues to inform and influence leaders and decision-makers. Locally, MedFTs may influence policy in their workplace, healthcare institutions, schools, justice system, and community organizations in order to promote the health and well-being of their communities. On a larger scale, MedFTs may be policy advocates for state or federal laws that impact the health of larger populations.

Some examples of policies that may be relevant for MedFTs are insurance and reimbursements, healthy equity, and access to healthcare and mental health resources. One way MedFTs may influence these policies is through the creation of policy briefs. Policy briefs are documents provided to leaders and stakeholders that summarize information and can be used to make decisions about a particular issue. Shin and Jones (2014) provide guidance for MedFTs interested in this work. Find their work here.