The American Association of Psychiatric Administrators (AAPA) may be
looking for you.
The AAPA is reaching out to psychiatrists who are administrators or who
would like to sharpen their skills in this area and inviting them to join. In
turn, the association hopes to benefit from the expertise that these
individuals will bring to the
association.
In particular, there are two groups of psychiatrists who might be
interested in participating in the AAPA. The first includes psychiatrists who
are involved in the administration and management of health delivery systems;
hospital psychiatric departments; medical schools; community mental health
centers; research institutes; local, state, and federal public health
departments; and insurance or pharmaceutical companies, among others.
The second group consists of front-line psychiatrists who are immersed in
clinical care in solo or small group practices, where administrative
challenges also exist. The business side of small practices has become more
complex in light of the increasing application of new health information
technology to help users better manage patient care and treatment, as well as
third-party billing and reimbursement.
"If someone's identity as a psychiatrist includes being a leader,
administrator, or manager, he or she should consider [joining] the AAPA as a
source of knowledge and an exchange of perspectives and support," Steven
Sharfstein, M.D., M.P.A., told Psychiatric News.
Sharfstein, a longtime member of the AAPA, is a former APA president and
president and CEO of Maryland's Sheppard Pratt Health System.
"Even if you are working alone," he continued, "it's good
to know people who are practicing at a similar administrative level albeit in
different institutions, systems, and geographical settings." FIG1
The AAPA serves as a think tank on administrative and management matters
impacting the practice of psychiatry, said AAPA President Arthur Lazarus,
M.D., M.B.A., senior director of global clinical development in neuroscience
for Astra-Zeneca. Its work is carried out by topic-specific committees ranging
from health care finance and forensics to public health and ethical issues.
The same subjects are addressed in the AAPA's journal, Psychiatrist
Administrator.
The AAPA, which is headquartered in Dallas, was founded 48 years ago and
now has about 200 members. Annual dues are $75. Its executive director is
Frances Roton Bell.
AAPA is separate from but works collaboratively with APA's Committee on
Psychiatric Administration and Management, L. Mark Russakoff, M.D., told
Psychiatric News. Russakoff, who is chair of the committee and a past
president of the AAPA, is director of the Department of Psychiatry at Phelps
Memorial Hospital Center in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
The AAPA "does a lot to promote education in psychiatric
administration to the broader APA membership," he said.
For example, APA's Committee on Psychiatric Administration and Management
selects the winner of the committee's annual Administrative Psychiatry Award.
It is given to a "clinician executive" who's widely accomplished
and nationally recognized. AAPA supports the award with a financial gift.
AAPA's most visible activity is in the area of education. Some of its
members designed APA's course in psychiatric administration and
management.
"It's called the 'Basic Concepts in Administrative Psychiatry, Part 1
and 2,'" said Lazarus. "It's given over the course of two days at
APA's annual meeting. AAPA members developed the course and are its
instructors. Turnout is very good. About 50 APA members each day take the
course."
The course, he said, can be helpful to psychiatrists pursuing APA's
certification in psychiatric administration and management, though it's not
designed for that purpose.
It is APA's Committee on Psychiatric Administration and Management that is
charged with establishing the qualifications for certification, conducting the
certification test, and maintaining an up-to-date roster of those certified.
More than 1,000 psychiatrists are now certified.
"Certification," noted Lazarus, "symbolizes achievement
and recognition in the field, as well as the understanding of the principles
of psychiatric administration and management."
The AAPA's Web site can be accessed at<www.psychiatricadministrators.org>.
More information on APA's Certification in Psychiatric Administration and
Management is available from Crystal Garner at
cgarner@psych.org
or (703) 907-8665. ▪