October 2001 • Volume 7 • Number 10
New survey shows
Academy provides what members want
'TOP 10' MEMBER NEEDS IN 2001
Program/Service Mean rating 1. CME accreditation (ensure the quality of FP Prescribed credit) 5.91 2. American Family Physician journal 5.78 3. Representation of the specialty in Washington, D.C. 5.76 4. Public promotion of the FP's image 5.62 5. Representation of the specialty at the state level 5.54 6. Representation of family practice to other specialties and within organized medicine 5.46 7. Involvement with family practice residency programs to improve their training 5.45 8. Promotion of family practice in medical schools to ensure the continued supply of FPs 5.43 9. Programs for medical students to increase their awareness of and interest in family practice 5.37 10. Help for members in accurately coding services 5.34 Although the annual Member Attitude Survey is used to gauge members' opinions about the Academy's performance, AAFP leaders this year decided that they wanted to know more.
So a new questionnaire -- designed to give members an opportunity to say how the Academy should spend its energy -- was mailed to 1,500 randomly selected members. Now, the results of the 2001 Member Needs Assessment survey are in.
They show "there's really nothing the Academy is doing that members don't want," says Jan Carter, director of strategic planning and marketing and questionnaire author. "I think it's great that this lends validity to both the Member Attitude and the Needs Assessment surveys."
Members rated 53 major AAFP programs and services according to how much emphasis the Academy should place on them. A rating of 1 indicates "no emphasis," while the highest rating of 7 indicates "maximum emphasis."
Members said the top 10 programs and services that the Academy should emphasize range from CME and representation of the specialty in Washington, D.C., to programs for medical students and assistance with coding (see list at right). In fact, Carter says the list covers what AAFP leaders already consider to be key issues.
No significant response differences were found in the top 10 list when results were analyzed using different demographic characteristics. The demographic characteristics include: location (rural and urban), gender, age group (under 36, 36 - 45, 46 - 55, 56 - 65, and 66 and above), and practice arrangement (solo, two-person, group, multi-specialty group, not reported and other).
Because the results can help the Academy meet members' needs, the assessment survey will be conducted every two years.
FP Report is published by the AAFP News Department.
Copyright © 2001 by American Academy of Family Physicians.
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