DB Presidents Describe Successful Membership, Outreach Efforts

Taking advantage of the Phoenix, Ariz., location of their meeting in October, APA Trustees invited the presidents of three Western district branches (DBs) to the meeting to discuss issues and challenges confronting their organizations and members.

Thomas Crumbley, M.D., president of the Arizona Psychiatric Society, said that his constituents are concerned about the “war chest” the state's psychologists are building for their eventual push to have state lawmakers grant them prescribing privileges. The DB has been proactive in strengthening its alliances with other concerned organizations to combat such an effort, he said, and already has promises of support from the state medical society.

Crumbley also described good news on the organizational front. The DB's finances are improving, he said, and, thanks to stepped-up outreach efforts, including a one-time dues amnesty, membership is beginning to increase. In addition, DB leaders are planning an “advocacy day” and are exploring formation of a political action committee.

Colorado Psychiatric Society President Cheryl Chessick, M.D., pointed out that her DB's membership is up to about 500, which represents more than 70 percent of the state's psychiatrists. Approximately 100 members are active on committees and in other DB activities. Among many community-outreach activities are periodic movie nights in which a psychiatrist leads a discussion about the film and an initiative to educate teenagers about mental health issues.

The Colorado DB is also active in a coalition of mental health advocacy groups known as the “mighty six,” which has helped the DB get psychiatrists appointed to state-level committees that deal with mental health and patient care issues, Chessick noted.

Ellen Haller, M.D., president of the Northern California Psychiatric Society, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, described a very active DB. Its members are planning an April conference titled “Sex and Psychiatry: The Role of Gender in Current Practice” and a two-day conference on pain management and end-of-life care. The latter is designed to meet California's requirement that physicians get 12 hours of continuing medical education on these topics.

Another group, Haller noted, is working on access-to-care issues, with psychiatrists having met with representatives of clinics, managed care organizations, and academic centers. The DB also plans to undertake an“ aggressive marketing” program to convince nonmember psychiatrists to join. ▪