Checking the vital signs

News

CJEM 2003;5(3):215

This year, 2003, is CAEP's 25th Anniversary -- a time to look back at what the organization has accomplished and to look forward to a dynamic and successful future. Between September 2002 and January 2003, the CAEP Board coordinated an environmental scan, to clarify organizational priorities and long-term plans. The scan included a comprehensive membership survey, which was completed by 330 CAEP members (20% of the organization), as well as 5 on-site and telephone focus groups involving head office staff, Board members, EM residents, external allied organizations, and other physicians and residents.

What members told us (the highlights)

• CAEP's role is to be a leader and a national voice in emergency medicine.
• Respondents said that the integrity, commitment and credibility of members, volunteers and staff are CAEP's greatest strength.
• 32% of members ranked CME as "most valuable program." During the past 3 years, 81% had participated in some form of CAEP CME. Of these, 50% described their learning experience as "excellent," and 41% described it as "good."
• 31% of members ranked CJEM as "most valuable program." 42% read CJEM cover to cover, and 51% read selected articles.
• One third believe that CAEP needs to enhance its external visibility and impact.
• An overwhelming 98% believe that CAEP must play a strong role in advocacy, and 2/3 feel that ED overcrowding is the most important issue. Many felt that the greatest future opportunity and challenge will be to influence public policy-makers to bring about emergency health care reform.
• One-third of respondents are or have been members of the CAEP Residents' Section.
• 37% are involved in some form of emergency medicine research, but many more would like to be.
• CAEP members want relationships with industry to be transparent and highly ethical. Most respondents feel that CAEP is doing a good job of this at present, and most approve of CAEP's approach to funding from pharmaceutical firms.

Based on what it has learned from the environmental scan, the CAEP Board of Directors is developing its new strategic plan. Highlights of this plan will be announced at the Annual Scientific Assembly in June and featured in a future issue of CJEM. CAEP wishes to thank all focus group and survey participants. Your feedback is extremely helpful in setting future directions.