ACEP Membership Challenges The “Young Physician” Gary C Starr MD ACEP SA 2009 Chapter Executive Forum Boston, MA

The “Young Physician” EMRA members, 25-30% ACEP YPS - Op. Guide says “1st 10 years” ACEP 2006 Survey “1st 6 years” ACEP member data: 25yo-35yo?

Member Data Most join in Residency 83% of those who leave do so in 1st 2 yrs (2006 Member survey) 40% of young members feel state chapter not useful. (internal ACEP survey data 25-35yo)

State Member Data (2005 YPS Chapter Survey) 86% do not have YPs serving on chapter special interest groups YPs involved in chapter advocacy efforts - 52% do not, 48% do Most chapters (86%) do not have a strategic plan to address YP membership Over half (55%) do not know the number of YPs in their chapter

Changing Demographics More Residency Grads + Increasing Total EM Physicians (and ACEP members) Greater relative number of YP Shift towards younger

Problem Defined: 1. Get Young Physicians to become members. 2. Provide enough value to Young Physician to retain membership.

National Role Models ACEP Young Physician Section (YPS) ‣1‣1st 10 years of practice ‣m‣many EM Residents EMRA ‣E‣Emergency Medicine Residents ‣M‣Medical Students to a lesser degree

YPS Official Operational Guidelines ✓ 3.3 “... to meet, interact and network.” ✓ 3.4 Present Educational Programs... ✓ ”prepare and present informative [material]” ✓ 3.9 “provide a pathway for leadership development within the organtization.”

EMRA 2008 Strategic Plan Updates (partial) ✓ Develop Legislative Advocates ‣ Web Presence, L&A Conference, 911 Network, ✓ Empower Local Representatives ‣ Improve communication with State Chapters... ✓ Engage Members Locally ‣ BOD State Chapter Visits, “Chairs Challenge” expanded to States ✓ Revolutionize IT infrastructure

Ideas That Work o ACEP Leadership and Advocacy Conference o State Chapter Sponsored Educational Programs - Oral Board Practice, Research symposiums o Leadership Positions for YP o ACEP Counselor, State ACEP BoD Position, Committee Positions, Sponsor attendance at L&A or Health Policy Mini Fellowship o Easily available, relevant, up-to-date, information resource: - Website resources, 911 Network, Targeted s, Publications

What do “YP” want? 2008 ACEP Section Member Survey - Networking - Sharing Information - Leadership Development 2005 YPS Survey - Increase Networking Opportunities, “Community Building” - Increase Leadership Role availability - Promote and facilitate what National ACEP already does well

What do “YP” want? 2006 Membership Division Study Representation (State/National) Leadership Development Help with Transitions through various phases of career Networking/Personal Interaction Information: Current Updates, Best Practices, Career Information EMRA data Provide Leadership positions Sponsor attendance to L&A, SA, Other conferences Need better information; ex. State Legislative issues, health reform efforts (Website)

What to avoid... Poor Communication Little or no personal outreach Any “Program” that is NOT: ✤ Relevant ✤ Excellent ✤ Convenient Recreating ACEP Resource available elsewhere “Mentorship” program? ✤ “...general consensus among section members was that mentorship programs have not worked in the past...” (2004 ACEP YPS Section survey)

What’s a State to do? State “YPS” equivalent ACEP/EMRA Chapter Visits BoD Residency Visits/Lectures Provide significant Leadership opportunities and broadcast them ?Mentorship program? Provide $ sponsorship L&A, Mini-fellowship, SA, SAEM Provide detailed, current info on Local Issues Medical/Legal, State Specific Employment Disaster Management State Advocacy Efforts/Opportunity Interact with EMRA Regional Structure Be a Repository for Local programming, information Conferences, Website, Welcome Pack

Best Practice FCEP EMRAF, Advocacy, Website, Information Dissemination ICEP Website, Information Dissemination, Research Support, Courses/CME, Leadership Opportunities MCEP EMRAM, Leadership Development Program, Website, CME/Courses, Advocacy, Sponsorships OHCEP EMRO, Leadership Opportunities, Advocacy, CME/Courses PAACEP Website, YP Committee, Courses/CME, Many Leadership Opportunities, Sponsorships

Final Thoughts Develop relationships with your YP population (=true networking) Get them to meetings, Involve them in Advocacy, Collaborate with Existing Groups (ACEP, EMRA, Residencies etc) Find a way to provide more Leadership Opportunity Make your website useful, easy and fill it with current info on: Advocacy, Calenders, State Specific Information, Opportunities, Links Don’t wait for YP to come to you...