SUMMARY: UNITED PHYSICIANS is a new kind of democratic physician association, made possible by modern technology. Instead of "representative governance" UNITED PHYSICIANS has "direct governance." History has demonstrated representative governance in medicine leads to governance by a small "board" whose interests may or may not be aligned with the majority of the organization's members. UNITED PHYSICIANS is governed by all its members using internet-based voting technology. All significant decisions are made by the entire organization, with each member possessing the right to vote.
Here is how it works. A virtual platform is created. Physician members (entry requirements are a license to practice medicine and an NPI number) propose "projects" in a dedicated "petition" room. Projects are discussed in dedicated chat rooms. If a petition is signed by more than 15% of members, the project moves to a vote by all physician members. If the project receives a supermajority vote, it moves to a dedicated chat room where specific goals and estimated budgets are discussed. If the specific goals receive a supermajority vote, the project then moves to a vote on proposed methods to execute the project. If the specific methods receive a majority vote, the project is initiated.
UNITED PHYSICIANS will only be effective if most U.S. physicians join. We do not compete with other organizations. Ideally, other organizations will use the platform; and its free. The structure will not require a large budget. Expenses are kept low. Physician leaders are unpaid. UNITED PHYSICIANS will only be an effective organization if physicians are unified. This means UNITED PHYSICIANS will only advocate for projects agreed upon by a SUPERMAJORITY. Therefore, UNITED PHYSICIANS activities will be limited to projects agreed upon by almost all physicians, with little dissent.