Stop Quacking
By Dr. Dave Carsten.
In 1994, Governor Mike Lowry signed into law and created the Washington State Health Care Commission. People referred to these commissions as “Quality Assurance Commissions” or jokingly, as QAC or “quack.” There were funny titles like “N-quack” for nursing, “M-quack” for medicine, and “Dee” quack for dentistry. By 2019, the Medical Quality Assurance Commission (MQAC) had enough of the quack jokes and requested the legislature to change its name to the Washington Medical Commission.
The term "quack" has an interesting history. Derived From the Dutch word quacksalver, “quack” originally described those who sold medicinal cures. However, many peddlers of the 17th century were selling fraudulent remedies. This changed the word to evolve into a derogatory term meaning a crook or charlatan. Over time, especially during the cholera epidemics of the 1800s, quacks exploited desperate patients by selling false remedies. Quacks blended into the medical community until we introduced regulations and licensing.
Today, quackery persists in various forms, often disguised by scientific-sounding jargon and machinery.
Quacks tend to be charismatic con artists lacking a conscience. No patient would knowingly visit a quack physician. No doctor wants to be called a quack.
In 2019, the former chair of MQAC visited the Washington State House Health Care and Wellness Committee. The former chair wanted to change the name of the Medical Quality Assurance Commission to the Washington Medical Commission.
MQAC told the committee that doctors are sensitive to being associated with the word quack. Supporters for dumping the quack association brought a yellow rubber ducky. The committee quickly ordered this away because of the no-prop rule.
The supporters continued to defend their position with a series of duck jokes and puns. “I won’t duck the question,” said Stephanie McManus, legislative liaison to the commission, before elaborating on the opinions and concerns of stakeholders. Or the proposed name change has “not one quack of dissent.”
Warren Howe, the commission’s past chairman, tried to pass out small rubber ducks to the legislators. But the legislators stopped him. Howe explained the etymological origin of the word “professional” to argue how the commission needs a name that reflects the apt description rather than a false pejorative.
With a duck call lanyard around his neck, Howe blew the lanyard. The chairman says he uses the lanyard to call meetings to order instead of a gavel. And of course, he blew it. However, it’s hard to maintain one’s dignity when blowing on a duck call. When voting on the bill came later, members of the committee quacked their assent.
The nursing commission also had the legislature change its name to the Washington Board of Nursing (WABON).
Sadly, the dentists were unaware of the physicians ask for a name change. If the dentists knew, we might have joined their efforts. In our commission’s bylaws, we call ourselves the Washington Dental Commission. But that does not change the state’s statute or the official name. That requires a visit and vote at the legislature.
The Washington Dental Commission (still DQAC in statute) now seeks to update its name. As a past chair, I intend to support this cause at legislative hearings. Rubber ducks and all.
Stop the quack.
Dave Carsten, DDS, Dentist Anesthesiologist, Past Chair of the Washington Dental Commission Assistant Professor, OHSU
“Insults are the arguments employed by those who are in the wrong.” - Jean Jacques Rousseau
Citations:
Virtual Mentor. 2000;2(4):30-31. DOI 10.1001/virtualmentor.2000.2.4.imhl1-0004
Washington State, ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2676 AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE Passed Legislature-1994 1st Special Session
Spin Control: Sometimes, but not always, the Legislature is a funny place,
Sun., Feb. 24, 2019, By Jim Camden, jimc@spokesman.com