Physician candidate research

Over the years, AMPAC has studied the viability and potential campaign strategies of physicians candidates for public office at the local, state and federal levels. Physicians are naturally dedicated to public service and for those willing to run for office, this research is designed to identify issues and circumstances that may be unique to physicians as candidates.

Through a series of focus groups, our research analyzed voter perceptions of qualities desired in elected officials, as well as their initial attitudes towards physicians. Given these predetermined viewpoints, participants in the study were asked to assess how they would perceive physicians as political candidates. The research analyzes their responses and draws a number of conclusions that are helpful to physicians running for office.

We are hopeful that this research will be useful at the state or local level as we pursue the common goal of electing more medicine friendly candidates to public office. Please feel free to offer this research to physicians as you see fit.

2003 AMA Focus Groups on Physicians as Political Candidates (PDF, 70KB) requires Adobe Acrobat Reader