AAFP-to rejoin or not to rejoin?

[Guest guest]

So, I have been ignoring the " bills " and have pondered for a second year in a

row whether or not to renew my dues. I have yet to hear a valid arguments other

than my sheer laziness of not wanting to track my CME and needing board review

questions. I have had some major life changes and I am no longer working full

time in medicine. Quite honestly, I am not content with the organization and do

not have the time to effect change. Apparently the only way to really make a

difference would require being a Board member in my local and then hoping to

garnish the votes to become a delegate. Press interviews and letters are more my

style.

Thoughts?

Those that dropped the AAFP-what have you done?

[Guest guest]

i track my own CME  read the AAFP  website becasue they are good about sharing  a fair amnt of stuff plus I complain about the price of Assembly for non memebrs That is what I do.LAst yr at Assembly I had a visitor badge and they  yelled at me for that..

:)I have not found a reaosn to go back but am really sorry about that.Some good folks thereIMP gets its CME though AAFP even though I am not a member they let me(I use a member's aafp number to say he signed off) and that dept is great!

 too bad.

 

So, I have been ignoring the " bills " and have pondered for a second year in a row whether or not to renew my dues. I have yet to hear a valid arguments other than my sheer laziness of not wanting to track my CME and needing board review questions. I have had some major life changes and I am no longer working full time in medicine. Quite honestly, I am not content with the organization and do not have the time to effect change. Apparently the only way to really make a difference would require being a Board member in my local and then hoping to garnish the votes to become a delegate. Press interviews and letters are more my style.

Thoughts?

Those that dropped the AAFP-what have you done?

--      MD          ph    fax

[Guest guest]

I am in same position, ignoring, because I don't feel much value, and I don't have the money. On the one hand it is nice to have the tracking of CME, but really it's only their CME, if you go to anything else you still have to put in yourself. Over 750$/yr, buys alot of overhead for my practice, have to decide this week, what to do, I am technically already expired, but in a grace period.

Cote' MD AAFP-to rejoin or not to rejoin?

So, I have been ignoring the "bills" and have pondered for a second year in a row whether or not to renew my dues. I have yet to hear a valid arguments other than my sheer laziness of not wanting to track my CME and needing board review questions. I have had some major life changes and I am no longer working full time in medicine. Quite honestly, I am not content with the organization and do not have the time to effect change. Apparently the only way to really make a difference would require being a Board member in my local and then hoping to garnish the votes to become a delegate. Press interviews and letters are more my style.Thoughts?Those that dropped the AAFP-what have you done?

[Guest guest]



Can pay out over time for AAFP.

Of course, I am in year 4 of my 7 year board cycle and haven't done any of those yet....

Matt in Western PA

Solo FP

AAFP-to rejoin or not to rejoin?

So, I have been ignoring the "bills" and have pondered for a second year in a row whether or not to renew my dues. I have yet to hear a valid arguments other than my sheer laziness of not wanting to track my CME and needing board review questions. I have had some major life changes and I am no longer working full time in medicine. Quite honestly, I am not content with the organization and do not have the time to effect change. Apparently the only way to really make a difference would require being a Board member in my local and then hoping to garnish the votes to become a delegate. Press interviews and letters are more my style.Thoughts?Those that dropped the AAFP-what have you done?

[Guest guest]

How, I can't see a monthly option on anything I've been sent. Of course I'm year 8 now of my 10 yr cycle. Now they have me.

AAFP-to rejoin or not to rejoin?

So, I have been ignoring the "bills" and have pondered for a second year in a row whether or not to renew my dues. I have yet to hear a valid arguments other than my sheer laziness of not wanting to track my CME and needing board review questions. I have had some major life changes and I am no longer working full time in medicine. Quite honestly, I am not content with the organization and do not have the time to effect change. Apparently the only way to really make a difference would require being a Board member in my local and then hoping to garnish the votes to become a delegate. Press interviews and letters are more my style.Thoughts?Those that dropped the AAFP-what have you done?

[Guest guest]

Why not use medscape to track CME?

I am in same position, ignoring, because I don't feel much value, and I don't have the money.  On the one hand it is nice to have the tracking of CME, but really it's only their CME, if you go to anything else you still have to put in yourself.  Over 750$/yr, buys alot of overhead for my practice, have to decide this week, what to do, I am technically already expired, but in a grace period.

-- Graham Chiuhttp://www.compkarori.co.nz:8090/Synapse - the use from anywhere EMR.

[Guest guest]

I have the AAFP charge a credit card monthly for like 5-6 months. I agree about

rethinking membership. It is nice, easy CME to look up the journals/quizzes but

I am sure there are cheaper options.

The ABFM had a couple of options- may yearly as you do the module versus pay all

up front. I did the pay yearly, I think about $250.

Margaret Coughlan

AAFP-to rejoin or not to rejoin?

 

So, I have been ignoring the " bills " and have pondered for a second year in a

row whether or not to renew my dues. I have yet to hear a valid arguments other

than my sheer laziness of not wanting to track my CME and needing board review

questions. I have had some major life changes and I am no longer working full

time in medicine. Quite honestly, I am not content with the organization and do

not have the time to effect change. Apparently the only way to really make a

difference would require being a Board member in my local and then hoping to

garnish the votes to become a delegate. Press interviews and letters are more my

style.

Thoughts?

Those that dropped the AAFP-what have you done?

[Guest guest]

I did the AAFP monthly option until this year, when they started charging for

the privilege.

Haresch

>

>

>

> How, I can't see a monthly option on anything I've been sent. Of course I'm

year 8 now of my 10 yr cycle.  Now they have me.

>

>

> AAFP-to rejoin or not to rejoin?

>

>  

>

>

>

>

> So, I have been ignoring the " bills " and have pondered for a second year in a

row whether or not to renew my dues. I have yet to hear a valid arguments other

than my sheer laziness of not wanting to track my CME and needing board review

questions. I have had some major life changes and I am no longer working full

time in medicine. Quite honestly, I am not content with the organization and do

not have the time to effect change. Apparently the only way to really make a

difference would require being a Board member in my local and then hoping to

garnish the votes to become a delegate. Press interviews and letters are more my

style.

>

> Thoughts?

>

> Those that dropped the AAFP-what have you done?

>

[Guest guest]

Re:  CME via IMPYou can get at least 12 hours if you come or listen to at least one of the IMP calls each month and about 20 hours for full participation in Camp (this year Oct. 14-16 near Washington, D.C.).

That's a good deal for the cost of membership (full year $250) plus about $250 camp registration fee.  And you'll be improving your practice and the quality of care you provide (not to mention having fun).

Sharon 

SharonSharon McCoy MD

IMP Vice-President and Camp Director

IdealMedicalPractices, Inc. a 501©3 non-profit

www.idealhealthnetwork.org

[Guest guest]

Same here.  Witth technology what it is there is no way you can convince me it costs them that much more to process the monthly payments.  They have had a large number of people drop out of their membership ranks and the extra fee, in my opinion, was an attempt to make up the lost membership dues in another way.  According to the  stats on their membership page 67% of members last year opted to pay the dues monthly.  That’s a bunch of extra money being made from all those people doing the monthly payments. Dr. Beth Sullivan, DO From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of newflocSent: Tuesday, April 05, 2011 9:36 PMTo: Subject: Re: AAFP-to rejoin or not to rejoin? I did the AAFP monthly option until this year, when they started charging for the privilege. Haresch>> > > How, I can't see a monthly option on anything I've been sent. Of course I'm year 8 now of my 10 yr cycle. Now they have me. > > > AAFP-to rejoin or not to rejoin? > >  > > > > > So, I have been ignoring the " bills " and have pondered for a second year in a row whether or not to renew my dues. I have yet to hear a valid arguments other than my sheer laziness of not wanting to track my CME and needing board review questions. I have had some major life changes and I am no longer working full time in medicine. Quite honestly, I am not content with the organization and do not have the time to effect change. Apparently the only way to really make a difference would require being a Board member in my local and then hoping to garnish the votes to become a delegate. Press interviews and letters are more my style. > > Thoughts? > > Those that dropped the AAFP-what have you done?>

[Guest guest]

How much extra does it cost to do monthly?

AAFP-to rejoin or not to rejoin? > > Â > > > > > So, I have been ignoring the "bills" and have pondered for a second year in a row whether or not to renew my dues. I have yet to hear a valid arguments other than my sheer laziness of not wanting to track my CME and needing board review questions. I have had some major life changes and I am no longer working full time in medicine. Quite honestly, I am not content with the organization and do not have the time to effect change. Apparently the only way to really make a difference would require being a Board member in my local and then hoping to garnish the votes to become a delegate. Press interviews and letters are more my style. > > Thoughts? > > Those that dropped the AAFP-what have you done?>

[Guest guest]

I don't remember for sure...$15 I think...not much...but it's principle...and I

don't get 2% on funds sitting in a checking or money market acct....

Haresch

> >

> >

> >

> > How, I can't see a monthly option on anything I've been sent. Of course

I'm year 8 now of my 10 yr cycle. Now they have me.

> >

> >

> > AAFP-to rejoin or not to rejoin?

> >

> > Â

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > So, I have been ignoring the " bills " and have pondered for a second year

in a row whether or not to renew my dues. I have yet to hear a valid arguments

other than my sheer laziness of not wanting to track my CME and needing board

review questions. I have had some major life changes and I am no longer working

full time in medicine. Quite honestly, I am not content with the organization

and do not have the time to effect change. Apparently the only way to really

make a difference would require being a Board member in my local and then hoping

to garnish the votes to become a delegate. Press interviews and letters are more

my style.

> >

> > Thoughts?

> >

> > Those that dropped the AAFP-what have you done?

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Pay $15... do you get ANY value from AAFP membership worth that extra $15?

Matt solo in Western PA

AAFP-to rejoin or not to rejoin? > > > > Â > > > > > > > > > > So, I have been ignoring the "bills" and have pondered for a second year in a row whether or not to renew my dues. I have yet to hear a valid arguments other than my sheer laziness of not wanting to track my CME and needing board review questions. I have had some major life changes and I am no longer working full time in medicine. Quite honestly, I am not content with the organization and do not have the time to effect change. Apparently the only way to really make a difference would require being a Board member in my local and then hoping to garnish the votes to become a delegate. Press interviews and letters are more my style. > > > > Thoughts? > > > > Those that dropped the AAFP-what have you done?> >>

[Guest guest]

Aren't AAFP and ABFP 2 different things? I am ABFP but not AAFP. Can't see any value in AAFP

 

So, I have been ignoring the " bills " and have pondered for a second year in a row whether or not to renew my dues. I have yet to hear a valid arguments other than my sheer laziness of not wanting to track my CME and needing board review questions. I have had some major life changes and I am no longer working full time in medicine. Quite honestly, I am not content with the organization and do not have the time to effect change. Apparently the only way to really make a difference would require being a Board member in my local and then hoping to garnish the votes to become a delegate. Press interviews and letters are more my style.

Thoughts?Those that dropped the AAFP-what have you done?

-- M.D.www.elainemd.comOffice: Go in the directions of your dreams and live the life you've imagined.

This email transmission may contain protected and privileged, highly confidential medical, Personal and Health Information (PHI) and/or legal information. The information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above.

 If you are not the intended recipient of this material, you may not use, publish, discuss, disseminate or otherwise distribute it. If you are not the intended recipient, or if you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately and confidentially destroy the information that email in error.

[Guest guest]

I actually believe in being a paying member of AAFP. I agree that the dues are ridiculously expensive and from my very small income too large a burden. I would encourage everyone to actually consider being a member for political reasons. I think it is politically smart for IMP. The AAFP is actually a strong lobby force on our behalf. And for those of us who have time and interest to be involved, gives a place to ensure the interests of IMP are included in these lobby efforts.I believe the state and national chapters are one of the best ways to keep pressure on policy makers to support primary care. They are behind trying to increase reimbursement rates for primary care and ensuring primary care doctors are included in discussions as policies are made. We as IMP practitioners can have a say and impact the future of healthcare by supporting AAFP.Every year when I have to pay my dues I write a long letter requesting either deferrment or a reduced fee. Every year this is denied. This is our organization and is responsive to our needs. I think if many of us supported the group and we all wrote letters asking for reduced rates, the system would change. When we just decide to step out because of the high fees, not only will the system never change but we won't be involved in the direction of the organization. I see supporting AAFP as a natural fit, natural ally to IMP. WeaklandBallard Neighborhood DoctorsSeattle, WA

Aren't AAFP and ABFP 2 different things? I am ABFP but not AAFP. Can't see any value in AAFP

So, I have been ignoring the "bills" and have pondered for a second year in a row whether or not to renew my dues. I have yet to hear a valid arguments other than my sheer laziness of not wanting to track my CME and needing board review questions. I have had some major life changes and I am no longer working full time in medicine. Quite honestly, I am not content with the organization and do not have the time to effect change. Apparently the only way to really make a difference would require being a Board member in my local and then hoping to garnish the votes to become a delegate. Press interviews and letters are more my style.

Thoughts?Those that dropped the AAFP-what have you done?

-- M.D.www.elainemd.comOffice: Go in the directions of your dreams and live the life you've imagined.

This email transmission may contain protected and privileged, highly confidential medical, Personal and Health Information (PHI) and/or legal information. The information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above.

If you are not the intended recipient of this material, you may not use, publish, discuss, disseminate or otherwise distribute it. If you are not the intended recipient, or if you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately and confidentially destroy the information that email in error.

[Guest guest]

interesting well said   and thoughtfulI have written to them to ask for reducing the fees in general for partial Scientific  ASsembly attendance THey say well you do not support the organization and it becomes a round robin. I do not  support becasue of the value of the membership vs cost and then I am alienated from even   trying to participate at some level.But I also write and say hey how about reduced fees to the Assembly for needy folks?

The IHI does this you can apply to get half price and I believe the IHI simply has in force  fees for small practices( for conferences.)  The aafp indeed is my professional organization but it is a tough  choice to align with folks who give lip service but nothing more  to give voice to that They say they represent me  and know that times are tough but make no concrete  efforts to show me. THey show not much work with small practices.

May I gently point out that ,IMP, now a membership 5o1c3, has scholarships and reduced fees for membership and for  conferences.And we are pretty small.

 

I actually believe in being a paying member of AAFP. I agree that the dues are ridiculously expensive and from my very small income too large a burden.  I would encourage everyone to actually consider being a member for political reasons. I think it is politically smart for IMP. 

The AAFP is actually a strong lobby force on our behalf. And for those of us who have time and interest to be involved, gives a place to ensure the interests of IMP are included in these lobby efforts.

I  believe the state and national chapters are one of the best ways to keep pressure on policy makers to support primary care. They are behind trying to increase reimbursement rates for primary care and ensuring primary care doctors are included in discussions as policies are made.   We as IMP practitioners can have a say and impact the future of healthcare by supporting AAFP.

Every year when I have to pay my dues I write a long letter requesting either deferrment or a reduced fee. Every year this is denied. This is our organization and is responsive to our needs. I think if many of us supported the group and we all wrote letters asking for reduced rates, the system would change. When we just decide to step out because of the high fees, not only will the system never change but we won't be involved in the direction of the organization. I see supporting AAFP as a natural fit, natural ally to IMP.

WeaklandBallard Neighborhood DoctorsSeattle, WA--      MD    

     ph    fax

[Guest guest]

The Board and the Academy are two separate entities. The AAFP is the group that published the journals and has incurance and is a subset of the AMA. The Board is a subset of the American Board Medical Ass which is responsible for Board certification. You

have to do the Board stuff if you need or want to be Board Certified. The AAFP is totally optional, like the AMA. Many of us feel that the AAFP is of little use, except for lobbying, and in fact some very influential people in FM are figuring out what to do

with them. I am considering not renewing my membership, one I have had since 1977.

More on the ABFP next week.

From: [ ] On Behalf Of [elaine2md@...]

Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 10:04 PM

To:

Subject: Re: AAFP-to rejoin or not to rejoin?

Aren't AAFP and ABFP 2 different things? I am ABFP but not AAFP. Can't see any value in AAFP

On Mon, Apr 4, 2011 at 6:53 PM, drsof99

wrote:

So, I have been ignoring the " bills " and have pondered for a second year in a row whether or not to renew my dues. I have yet to hear a valid arguments other than my sheer laziness of not wanting to track my CME and needing board review questions. I have

had some major life changes and I am no longer working full time in medicine. Quite honestly, I am not content with the organization and do not have the time to effect change. Apparently the only way to really make a difference would require being a Board

member in my local and then hoping to garnish the votes to become a delegate. Press interviews and letters are more my style.

Thoughts?

Those that dropped the AAFP-what have you done?

--

M.D.

www.elainemd.com

Office:

Go in the directions of your dreams and live the life you've imagined.

This email transmission may contain protected and privileged, highly confidential medical, Personal and Health Information (PHI) and/or legal information. The information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above.

If you are not the intended recipient of this material, you may not use, publish, discuss, disseminate or otherwise distribute it. If you are not the intended recipient, or if you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately

and confidentially destroy the information that email in error.

[Guest guest]

I just attended the WAFP ( washington chapter of AAFP) house of delegates

meeting. At this annual conference resolutions are voted on to set the agenda

for the chapters next year as well as to decide what our chapter wants to say to

the national group.

Our group voted to put money and time toward efforts around nutrition supporting

more educational projects for providers and supporting a task force that finds

and then collaborates with other groups, such as one example of a nutrition

school offering a community kitchen to work with families to make nutritional

meals for $10/meal per family.

Lori Heim is currently the president of the AAFP and she spoke. I found her

amazing. She spoke that she believes , " family medicine has arrived " and we are

now known to be an entity to include and pay attention to. She spoke of pushing

against the AMA to increase payment for primary care and decrease the inequality

of reimbursement for speciality and procedures. She spoke of the work to

include FP in the discussion to be hospitalized and not let ourselves be pushed

out of that arena as it develops into it's own area.

I do not serve on a board and I went as a delegate just by emailing my local

county chapter that I wanted to volunteer my time. Anyone can attend and have a

voice but you can only vote as a delegate. Anyone can submit resolutions they

want considered and spoken about.

I can offer to submit a resolution next year requested that AAFP dues adopt a

sliding scale and is offered for the scientific assemblies also. It will

certainly be more successful if I can get numbers somehow from this group of

what type of scale seems appropriate and how many out there would support this-

both current members who struggle to maintain and non members who join.

I'll write again around the time in 8 months or so when resolutions are due.

Weakland, MD

Seattle WA

>

>

> So, I have been ignoring the " bills " and have pondered for a second year in a

row whether or not to renew my dues. I have yet to hear a valid arguments other

than my sheer laziness of not wanting to track my CME and needing board review

questions. I have had some major life changes and I am no longer working full

time in medicine. Quite honestly, I am not content with the organization and do

not have the time to effect change. Apparently the only way to really make a

difference would require being a Board member in my local and then hoping to

garnish the votes to become a delegate. Press interviews and letters are more my

style.

>

> Thoughts?

>

> Those that dropped the AAFP-what have you done?

>

>

>

>

> --

> M.D.

> www.elainemd.com<http://www.elainemd.com>

> Office:

> Go in the directions of your dreams and live the life you've imagined.

> This email transmission may contain protected and privileged, highly

confidential medical, Personal and Health Information (PHI) and/or legal

information. The information is intended only for the use of the individual or

entity named above.

>

>

>

> If you are not the intended recipient of this material, you may not use,

publish, discuss, disseminate or otherwise distribute it. If you are not the

intended recipient, or if you have received this transmission in error, please

notify the sender immediately and confidentially destroy the information that

email in error.

>

[Guest guest]

Writing on my phone and funny typo got made in my long message- should have been "Hospitalists" but my phone doesn't like it and changed it to hospitalized- a bit different meaning. Sorry.

I just attended the WAFP ( washington chapter of AAFP) house of delegates meeting. At this annual conference resolutions are voted on to set the agenda for the chapters next year as well as to decide what our chapter wants to say to the national group.

Our group voted to put money and time toward efforts around nutrition supporting more educational projects for providers and supporting a task force that finds and then collaborates with other groups, such as one example of a nutrition school offering a community kitchen to work with families to make nutritional meals for $10/meal per family.

Lori Heim is currently the president of the AAFP and she spoke. I found her amazing. She spoke that she believes ,"family medicine has arrived" and we are now known to be an entity to include and pay attention to. She spoke of pushing against the AMA to increase payment for primary care and decrease the inequality of reimbursement for speciality and procedures. She spoke of the work to include FP in the discussion to be hospitalized and not let ourselves be pushed out of that arena as it develops into it's own area.

I do not serve on a board and I went as a delegate just by emailing my local county chapter that I wanted to volunteer my time. Anyone can attend and have a voice but you can only vote as a delegate. Anyone can submit resolutions they want considered and spoken about.

I can offer to submit a resolution next year requested that AAFP dues adopt a sliding scale and is offered for the scientific assemblies also. It will certainly be more successful if I can get numbers somehow from this group of what type of scale seems appropriate and how many out there would support this- both current members who struggle to maintain and non members who join.

I'll write again around the time in 8 months or so when resolutions are due.

Weakland, MD

Seattle WA

>

>

> So, I have been ignoring the "bills" and have pondered for a second year in a row whether or not to renew my dues. I have yet to hear a valid arguments other than my sheer laziness of not wanting to track my CME and needing board review questions. I have had some major life changes and I am no longer working full time in medicine. Quite honestly, I am not content with the organization and do not have the time to effect change. Apparently the only way to really make a difference would require being a Board member in my local and then hoping to garnish the votes to become a delegate. Press interviews and letters are more my style.

>

> Thoughts?

>

> Those that dropped the AAFP-what have you done?

>

>

>

>

> --

> M.D.

> www.elainemd.com<http://www.elainemd.com>

> Office:

> Go in the directions of your dreams and live the life you've imagined.

> This email transmission may contain protected and privileged, highly confidential medical, Personal and Health Information (PHI) and/or legal information. The information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above.

>

>

>

> If you are not the intended recipient of this material, you may not use, publish, discuss, disseminate or otherwise distribute it. If you are not the intended recipient, or if you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately and confidentially destroy the information that email in error.

>

[Guest guest]

thanks! It would seem  to me that a nonmember daily  fee for the assembly  be more inline with the daily costs of  conferences else             where-150?/day and  I   would love to be able  to go to  Scientific Assembly agian but  currently the cost is staggering

thank youJean

 

I can offer to submit a resolution next year requested that AAFP dues adopt a sliding scale and is offered for the scientific assemblies also. It will certainly be more successful if I can get numbers somehow from this group of what type of scale seems appropriate and how many out there would support this- both current members who struggle to maintain and non members who join.

I'll write again around the time in 8 months or so when resolutions are due.

Weakland, MD

Seattle WA

>

>

> So, I have been ignoring the " bills " and have pondered for a second year in a row whether or not to renew my dues. I have yet to hear a valid arguments other than my sheer laziness of not wanting to track my CME and needing board review questions. I have had some major life changes and I am no longer working full time in medicine. Quite honestly, I am not content with the organization and do not have the time to effect change. Apparently the only way to really make a difference would require being a Board member in my local and then hoping to garnish the votes to become a delegate. Press interviews and letters are more my style.

>

> Thoughts?

>

> Those that dropped the AAFP-what have you done?

>

>

>

>

> --

> M.D.

> www.elainemd.com<http://www.elainemd.com>

> Office:

> Go in the directions of your dreams and live the life you've imagined.

> This email transmission may contain protected and privileged, highly confidential medical, Personal and Health Information (PHI) and/or legal information. The information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above.

>

>

>

> If you are not the intended recipient of this material, you may not use, publish, discuss, disseminate or otherwise distribute it. If you are not the intended recipient, or if you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately and confidentially destroy the information that email in error.

>

--      MD          ph    fax

[Guest guest]

,It is good to hear about Lori Helms and the directions she is pushing AAFP.  Thanks for the report.

Sliding scale for membership and conferences is a good suggestion (although also lowering overhead could help to lower costs to members, for sure).

I personally continue to support the AAFP with my membership.  While it isn't perfect, I do believe as a national organization over the years they have helped the cause of primary care.  I definitely feel less connected to them since going solo.

Appreciate you taking the time to be a delegate and report back for us.Sharon

Sharon McCoy MDRenaissance Family Medicine10 McClintock Court; Irvine, CA  92617PH: (949)387-5504   Fax: (949)281-2197  Toll free phone/fax: 

www.SharonMD.com

 

I just attended the WAFP ( washington chapter of AAFP) house of delegates meeting. At this annual conference resolutions are voted on to set the agenda for the chapters next year as well as to decide what our chapter wants to say to the national group.

Our group voted to put money and time toward efforts around nutrition supporting more educational projects for providers and supporting a task force that finds and then collaborates with other groups, such as one example of a nutrition school offering a community kitchen to work with families to make nutritional meals for $10/meal per family.

Lori Heim is currently the president of the AAFP and she spoke. I found her amazing. She spoke that she believes , " family medicine has arrived " and we are now known to be an entity to include and pay attention to. She spoke of pushing against the AMA to increase payment for primary care and decrease the inequality of reimbursement for speciality and procedures. She spoke of the work to include FP in the discussion to be hospitalized and not let ourselves be pushed out of that arena as it develops into it's own area.

I do not serve on a board and I went as a delegate just by emailing my local county chapter that I wanted to volunteer my time. Anyone can attend and have a voice but you can only vote as a delegate. Anyone can submit resolutions they want considered and spoken about.

I can offer to submit a resolution next year requested that AAFP dues adopt a sliding scale and is offered for the scientific assemblies also. It will certainly be more successful if I can get numbers somehow from this group of what type of scale seems appropriate and how many out there would support this- both current members who struggle to maintain and non members who join.

I'll write again around the time in 8 months or so when resolutions are due.

Weakland, MD

Seattle WA

>

>

> So, I have been ignoring the " bills " and have pondered for a second year in a row whether or not to renew my dues. I have yet to hear a valid arguments other than my sheer laziness of not wanting to track my CME and needing board review questions. I have had some major life changes and I am no longer working full time in medicine. Quite honestly, I am not content with the organization and do not have the time to effect change. Apparently the only way to really make a difference would require being a Board member in my local and then hoping to garnish the votes to become a delegate. Press interviews and letters are more my style.

>

> Thoughts?

>

> Those that dropped the AAFP-what have you done?

>

>

>

>

> --

> M.D.

> www.elainemd.com<http://www.elainemd.com>

> Office:

> Go in the directions of your dreams and live the life you've imagined.

> This email transmission may contain protected and privileged, highly confidential medical, Personal and Health Information (PHI) and/or legal information. The information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above.

>

>

>

> If you are not the intended recipient of this material, you may not use, publish, discuss, disseminate or otherwise distribute it. If you are not the intended recipient, or if you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately and confidentially destroy the information that email in error.

>

[Guest guest]

Like Sharon, I also continue to be a paid member of AAFP. I also don't think AAFP is perfect but they are one of the few voices that speaks for family medicine. I have been a member of AAFP since I was a medical student and I will continue to support Family Medicine as long as I am a family doctor. I understand why some do not belong to AAFP or are thinking of dropping their membership. I think the situation is analogous to "herd immunity". That is, if enough people in the population are immunized, then this provides protection even for those who have not been immunized. Similarly, if there are enough paying members of AAFP, then AAFP can continue to function as an advocate for all family physicians, even for those who do not pay any dues. But we know what happens when the level of immunity falls below a certain threshold. Cases of measles, mumps and pertussis have risen over the past few years due to falling immunization rates. If AAFP support ever drops low enough, it could become an ineffective advocate and all family physicians and primary care providers could suffer from the consequences. My 2 cents. SetoSouth Pasadena, CA

,It is good to hear about Lori Helms and the directions she is pushing AAFP. Thanks for the report.

Sliding scale for membership and conferences is a good suggestion (although also lowering overhead could help to lower costs to members, for sure).

I personally continue to support the AAFP with my membership. While it isn't perfect, I do believe as a national organization over the years they have helped the cause of primary care. I definitely feel less connected to them since going solo.

Appreciate you taking the time to be a delegate and report back for us.Sharon

Sharon McCoy MDRenaissance Family Medicine10 McClintock Court; Irvine, CA 92617PH: (949)387-5504 Fax: (949)281-2197 Toll free phone/fax:

www.SharonMD.com

I just attended the WAFP ( washington chapter of AAFP) house of delegates meeting. At this annual conference resolutions are voted on to set the agenda for the chapters next year as well as to decide what our chapter wants to say to the national group.

Our group voted to put money and time toward efforts around nutrition supporting more educational projects for providers and supporting a task force that finds and then collaborates with other groups, such as one example of a nutrition school offering a community kitchen to work with families to make nutritional meals for $10/meal per family.

Lori Heim is currently the president of the AAFP and she spoke. I found her amazing. She spoke that she believes ,"family medicine has arrived" and we are now known to be an entity to include and pay attention to. She spoke of pushing against the AMA to increase payment for primary care and decrease the inequality of reimbursement for speciality and procedures. She spoke of the work to include FP in the discussion to be hospitalized and not let ourselves be pushed out of that arena as it develops into it's own area.

I do not serve on a board and I went as a delegate just by emailing my local county chapter that I wanted to volunteer my time. Anyone can attend and have a voice but you can only vote as a delegate. Anyone can submit resolutions they want considered and spoken about.

I can offer to submit a resolution next year requested that AAFP dues adopt a sliding scale and is offered for the scientific assemblies also. It will certainly be more successful if I can get numbers somehow from this group of what type of scale seems appropriate and how many out there would support this- both current members who struggle to maintain and non members who join.

I'll write again around the time in 8 months or so when resolutions are due.

Weakland, MD

Seattle WA

>

>

> So, I have been ignoring the "bills" and have pondered for a second year in a row whether or not to renew my dues. I have yet to hear a valid arguments other than my sheer laziness of not wanting to track my CME and needing board review questions. I have had some major life changes and I am no longer working full time in medicine. Quite honestly, I am not content with the organization and do not have the time to effect change. Apparently the only way to really make a difference would require being a Board member in my local and then hoping to garnish the votes to become a delegate. Press interviews and letters are more my style.

>

> Thoughts?

>

> Those that dropped the AAFP-what have you done?

>

>

>

>

> --

> M.D.

> www.elainemd.com<http://www.elainemd.com>

> Office:

> Go in the directions of your dreams and live the life you've imagined.

> This email transmission may contain protected and privileged, highly confidential medical, Personal and Health Information (PHI) and/or legal information. The information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above.

>

>

>

> If you are not the intended recipient of this material, you may not use, publish, discuss, disseminate or otherwise distribute it. If you are not the intended recipient, or if you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately and confidentially destroy the information that email in error.

>

[Guest guest]

RE AAFP membership

Choosing what to pay for, I continue with AAFP, although I pay out over time.

Much more burdensome will be the ABFM, which I have not done any modules for, I recerted in 2007, so will be retaking boards in 2014 AFTER I do the sill modules.

I may not have enough money to go to the IMP "camp"...

Will just rely on support here! Virtually...

Matt in Western PA

PS after 7 years solo, finally taking 2 weeks vacation this summer, NO not back to back...

Re: Re: AAFP-to rejoin or not to rejoin?

Like Sharon, I also continue to be a paid member of AAFP. I also don't think AAFP is perfect but they are one of the few voices that speaks for family medicine. I have been a member of AAFP since I was a medical student and I will continue to support Family Medicine as long as I am a family doctor.

I understand why some do not belong to AAFP or are thinking of dropping their membership. I think the situation is analogous to "herd immunity". That is, if enough people in the population are immunized, then this provides protection even for those who have not been immunized. Similarly, if there are enough paying members of AAFP, then AAFP can continue to function as an advocate for all family physicians, even for those who do not pay any dues. But we know what happens when the level of immunity falls below a certain threshold. Cases of measles, mumps and pertussis have risen over the past few years due to falling immunization rates. If AAFP support ever drops low enough, it could become an ineffective advocate and all family physicians and primary care providers could suffer from the consequences. My 2 cents.

Seto

South Pasadena, CA

,

It is good to hear about Lori Helms and the directions she is pushing AAFP. Thanks for the report.

Sliding scale for membership and conferences is a good suggestion (although also lowering overhead could help to lower costs to members, for sure).

I personally continue to support the AAFP with my membership. While it isn't perfect, I do believe as a national organization over the years they have helped the cause of primary care. I definitely feel less connected to them since going solo.

Appreciate you taking the time to be a delegate and report back for us.

Sharon

Sharon McCoy MDRenaissance Family Medicine10 McClintock Court; Irvine, CA 92617PH: (949)387-5504 Fax: (949)281-2197 Toll free phone/fax: www.SharonMD.com

I just attended the WAFP ( washington chapter of AAFP) house of delegates meeting. At this annual conference resolutions are voted on to set the agenda for the chapters next year as well as to decide what our chapter wants to say to the national group. Our group voted to put money and time toward efforts around nutrition supporting more educational projects for providers and supporting a task force that finds and then collaborates with other groups, such as one example of a nutrition school offering a community kitchen to work with families to make nutritional meals for $10/meal per family.Lori Heim is currently the president of the AAFP and she spoke. I found her amazing. She spoke that she believes ,"family medicine has arrived" and we are now known to be an entity to include and pay attention to. She spoke of pushing against the AMA to increase payment for primary care and decrease the inequality of reimbursement for speciality and procedures. She spoke of the work to include FP in the discussion to be hospitalized and not let ourselves be pushed out of that arena as it develops into it's own area.I do not serve on a board and I went as a delegate just by emailing my local county chapter that I wanted to volunteer my time. Anyone can attend and have a voice but you can only vote as a delegate. Anyone can submit resolutions they want considered and spoken about.I can offer to submit a resolution next year requested that AAFP dues adopt a sliding scale and is offered for the scientific assemblies also. It will certainly be more successful if I can get numbers somehow from this group of what type of scale seems appropriate and how many out there would support this- both current members who struggle to maintain and non members who join.I'll write again around the time in 8 months or so when resolutions are due. Weakland, MDSeattle WA

> > > So, I have been ignoring the "bills" and have pondered for a second year in a row whether or not to renew my dues. I have yet to hear a valid arguments other than my sheer laziness of not wanting to track my CME and needing board review questions. I have had some major life changes and I am no longer working full time in medicine. Quite honestly, I am not content with the organization and do not have the time to effect change. Apparently the only way to really make a difference would require being a Board member in my local and then hoping to garnish the votes to become a delegate. Press interviews and letters are more my style.> > Thoughts?> > Those that dropped the AAFP-what have you done?> > > > > --> M.D.> www.elainemd.com<http://www.elainemd.com>

> Office: > Go in the directions of your dreams and live the life you've imagined.> This email transmission may contain protected and privileged, highly confidential medical, Personal and Health Information (PHI) and/or legal information. The information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above.> > > > If you are not the intended recipient of this material, you may not use, publish, discuss, disseminate or otherwise distribute it. If you are not the intended recipient, or if you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately and confidentially destroy the information that email in error.>

[Guest guest]

For those of you who are Family Docs., I was just elected to the ABFM. I start

in July and have 5 years to help the board do the right thing. I have little

hope to make radical changes, but my application revolved around how to make it

easier to stay boarded and do all the other stuff we might want to do. For

instance, if you are doing Meaningful use, you are doing a quality improvement

process that should count towards the boards as well. There are always other

docs to help with the medical piece and knowing the latest exotic disease things

are not helpful to us. So, if you have suggestions for me to help the board

change, let me know. They are responsive and are much the greater leaders in FM

than the AAFP. In fact, my membership just lapsed to the AAFP since I just can't

believe paying the dues is worth it. I have a member since 1977 and now am not!

________________________________________

From:

[ ] On Behalf Of

[jnantonucci@...]

Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2011 6:15 AM

To:

Subject: Re: AAFP-to rejoin or not to rejoin?

i track my own CME read the AAFP website becasue they are good about sharing

a fair amnt of stuff plus I complain about the price of Assembly for non memebrs

That is what I do.

LAst yr at Assembly I had a visitor badge and they yelled at me for that..

I have not found a reaosn to go back but am really sorry about that.Some good

folks there

IMP gets its CME though AAFP even though I am not a member they let me(I use a

member's aafp number to say he signed off) and that dept is great!

too bad.

On Mon, Apr 4, 2011 at 9:53 PM, drsof99

> wrote:

So, I have been ignoring the " bills " and have pondered for a second year in a

row whether or not to renew my dues. I have yet to hear a valid arguments other

than my sheer laziness of not wanting to track my CME and needing board review

questions. I have had some major life changes and I am no longer working full

time in medicine. Quite honestly, I am not content with the organization and do

not have the time to effect change. Apparently the only way to really make a

difference would require being a Board member in my local and then hoping to

garnish the votes to become a delegate. Press interviews and letters are more my

style.

Thoughts?

Those that dropped the AAFP-what have you done?

--

MD

ph fax

<http://>

[Guest guest]

Congratulations, Jim....

Don't have any suggestions right now, but will let you know....

Re: AAFP-to rejoin or not to rejoin?

i track my own CME read the AAFP website becasue they are good about

sharing a fair amnt of stuff plus I complain about the price of Assembly

for non memebrs That is what I do.

LAst yr at Assembly I had a visitor badge and they yelled at me for that..

I have not found a reaosn to go back but am really sorry about that.Some

good folks there IMP gets its CME though AAFP even though I am not a member

they let me(I use a member's aafp number to say he signed off) and that dept

is great!

too bad.

On Mon, Apr 4, 2011 at 9:53 PM, drsof99

> wrote:

So, I have been ignoring the " bills " and have pondered for a second year in

a row whether or not to renew my dues. I have yet to hear a valid arguments

other than my sheer laziness of not wanting to track my CME and needing

board review questions. I have had some major life changes and I am no

longer working full time in medicine. Quite honestly, I am not content with

the organization and do not have the time to effect change. Apparently the

only way to really make a difference would require being a Board member in

my local and then hoping to garnish the votes to become a delegate. Press

interviews and letters are more my style.

Thoughts?

Those that dropped the AAFP-what have you done?

--

MD

ph fax

<http://>

------------------------------------