Wondering in Winnipeg

Letters

CJEM 2000;2(4):230-231

To the editor:

A Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP) representative recently asked me if I had any thoughts on why the organization has attracted so few members in Manitoba. This is a difficult question to answer. Partly, it is a "Catch-22." Membership promotes discussion, enhances profile and spawns new membership, but there just isn't a "critical mass" in Manitoba yet. This will gradually improve; our EM residents are joining up more frequently now.

It also reflects CAEP's low profile in the region and the fact that most of our EPs are still GPs. The medical community here retains a strong local focus and is more likely to affiliate with the local bargaining group (battling for financial respect) than with CAEP, which is often seen as a "down-East" organization with little local impact.

To penetrate this market, CAEP must aggressively advertise and promote. The CAEP Roadshows, which appear periodically, are a good start, but we need more. Perhaps local opinion leaders would increase CAEP awareness and membership. Can CAEP help us in the political and academic arenas? And when CAEP solves overcrowding and bed shortages, we will undoubtedly beat a path to its door.

Robert Sweetland, MD
Department of Emergency Medicine
Health Sciences Centre
Winnipeg, Man.