January 28, 2025
Ramesh T, Shachar C, Yu H. Striking a Balance—Advancing Physician Collective-Bargaining Rights and Patient Protections. N Engl J Med. 2025;392(3):209-211.
This valuable viewpoint article supplied data on the impacts of past strikes by residents and practicing physicians on patient safety and functional status of healthcare institutions. They also reviewed actions that laws such as the National Labor Relations Act permit that could facilitate formation of unions and use of strikes by healthcare workers.
The article emphasized that strikes by healthcare workers have been historically rare but may increase in the future because of increasing corporate ownership of healthcare systems. Initiatives to protect patient safety, maintain access to medical care, and increase effectiveness of healthcare worker unions are reviewed, as well. Surgeons are encouraged to review the entire article.