On Policymaking in Medicine

To the Editor.— Although we agree with much of what Charles N. Verheyden, MD, PhD (1981;245:825), espouses in his COMMENTARY, we would like to point out that there is at least one exception to the generality that "the membership of the governing and policymaking bodies in these organizations (national specialty, state and county medical societies; specialty certifying boards; and medical schools) largely consists of full-time or near-full-time 'physician politicians' rather than active practitioners." The American Society of Internal Medicine (ASIM) represents more than 17,000 practicing internists nationwide. As an organization of practicing internists, ASIM's democratically elected physician-leaders recognize "a personal obligation to participate in organized medicine." Twelve of ASIM's 13 trustees devote 100% of their professional time to direct patient care, and last year's members of ASIM's board spent anywhere from 30 to 60 days away from their practices on ASIM business. Members of ASIM's numerous committees and task forces