Storytelling in advocacy
Ask the Expert
By Victoria Houghton, Managing Editor, February 1, 2023
DermWorld spoke to Alex Gross, MD, FAAD, chair of the AADA State Policy Committee, about how to utilize personal stories with policymakers to make an advocacy impact.
DermWorld: Tell us about your experience advocating on behalf of patients and dermatology. How long have you been an active advocate? What are some of the big issues you have been advocating on at the state and federal level?
DermWorld: You recently gave a talk at the AADA Legislative Conference about the value of storytelling in advocacy. What is storytelling in advocacy and how is it valuable?
Dr. Gross: Storytelling in advocacy is the technique that we use to connect real people to our legislative asks. Members of Congress are elected to represent their constituents, and our patients are their constituents. On occasion, a story will resonate so deeply that legislators are called to action.
DermWorld: What makes a story impactful when advocating? What is your formula for an engaging story?
Dr. Gross: The subject of the story should be someone that the listener can personally relate to, usually a person facing a great challenge or obstacle. Use details to highlight the exceptional circumstances of the subject and try to create a visual picture. Next, outline the steps that were used to solve the problem, and finally, tie the point of the story to the “ask,” which is support for a specific piece of legislation.
DermWorld: What is your process for linking a relevant patient story with important advocacy issues? Are you writing them down as you encounter patients with stories that link to advocacy issues? What type of preparation are you engaging in prior to going into a meeting with a policymaker?
Dr. Gross: Start at the finish. Consider the purpose of the story. Consider situations in which there is an unexpected twist. Practice telling the story to colleagues, staff, or family members. Ask for feedback on how to make the story more engaging or interesting.
Take action
Find out how you can take action on Medicare payment and other important issues.
DermWorld: Can you tell us an example of how you used storytelling to make an impact on a policy you were advocating for?
Dr. Gross: My current favorite story involves a 14-year-old patient with asthma and severe atopic dermatitis affecting 80% of his body surface area. He was introverted and embarrassed to go to school because of the appearance of his skin. He had been hospitalized several times to receive IV antibiotics for skin infections. We prescribed a biologic drug, however, his insurance company insisted we first try a topical which was impractical because of the extent of his disease. After a delay of two months, the biologic drug was finally approved, and the patient had a complete response.
The “hook” in the story is that despite his asthma history, the patient started playing the trumpet, and his skin disease responded so well that he was able to play football, which had always been his dream. The story can be used to make several points regarding prior authorizations and step therapy and illustrates the need for physicians to be making treatment decisions without interference from insurance companies.
DermWorld: What tips would you offer to a dermatologist who wants to master the art of utilizing patient stories to make an impact on an advocacy issue?
Dr. Gross: Dermatologists are the experts in diagnosis and treatment of skin disease. Draw on your experiences with your patients and identify situations in which you made a life-changing impact on a patient’s quality of life. Identify the challenges you faced and how you overcame them. Connect your stories to your advocacy positions.
Alex Gross, MD, FAAD, from Georgia Dermatology Center in Cumming, Georgia, is the chair of the AADA State Policy Committee. He earned the AADA Advocate of the Year Award in 2014.
Advocate of the Year
The AADA Advocate of the Year is awarded to one AADA member who sets an example for their peers by undertaking a significant amount of advocacy endeavors, at the state and/or federal level, on behalf of the specialty.
