Complementary role of governments, non-governmental organizations, industry, and medical societies in expanding bradycardia therapy access

As the aging population continues to grow, so has the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, including bradycardia, with much of the burden falling on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Pacemaker therapy remains the only guideline-recommended therapy for symptomatic bradycardia, but due to the cost and expertise required for pacemaker implants, patients in LMICs have less access to pacemaker therapies. However, with the concerted effort of organizations (governments, non-governmental organizations, industry, and medical societies) strides can continue to be made in improving access to care. Governments play a role in extending health coverage to its citizens and improving their physical and digital healthcare infrastructure. Non-governmental organizations promote access and awareness through charity and advocacy programs. Industries can continue innovating technology that is both affordable and accessible. Medical societies provide guidelines for treatment and necessary educational and networking opportunities for physicians who serve in LMICs. All of these organizations have individual responsibilities and goals in expanding access to bradycardia therapy, which can be more easily realized by their continued collaboration.

Using personas and the ADKAR framework to evaluate a network designed to facilitate sustained change toward active learning in the undergraduate classroom

One promising practice for increasing active learning in undergraduate science education is the use of a mentoring network. The Promoting Active Learning and Mentoring (PALM) Network was launched with practitioners from several professional societies and disciplines to make changes in their teaching based on evidence-based practices and to encourage the members to reflect deeply on their teaching experiences. Members of the Network interviewed seven previous Fellows, 1 to 6 years after completing their fellowship, to better understand the value of the Network and how these interactions impacted their ability to sustain change toward more active teaching practices. The interviews resulted in the creation of three personas that reflect the kinds of educators who engaged with the Network: Neil the Novice, Issa the Isolated, and Etta the Expert. Key themes emerged from the interviews about how interactions with the PALM Network sustained change toward evidence-based teaching practices allowing the members to readily adapt to the online learning environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding how the personas intersect with the ADKAR model contributes to a better understanding of how mentoring networks facilitate transformative change toward active learning and can inform additional professional development programs.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s44217-022-00023-w.

Current State of Membership Diversity Among North American Radiology Societies: Analysis of Public Information on Society Websites

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

Diversity is an identified priority amongst governing medical bodies. We systematically analyzed public membership diversity data posted by North American radiology societies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two independent study members reviewed North American radiology society websites to collect public data on membership diversity, specifically related to gender, race, and sexual orientation or gender identity, and categorized data using a coding system. Supplemental searches were conducted to confirm findings. Study team members created accounts on each society website to identify whether diversity data was collected during member enrollment.

RESULTS

We reviewed a total of 26 society websites, with median 1500 members (range 110-54,600). We categorized five societies as "diversity leaders" based on having diversity statement(s), diversity initiatives, and diversity publication(s). While 62%, 8%, and 0% of societies collected data on gender, race, and sexual orientation or gender identity, respectively, no societies posted membership composition of these groups. Fourty-six percent of societies had membership diversity statement(s) on their webpages. Fifty-four percent had initiative(s) targeted at diversity (23% had multiple). Fifty percent had membership diversity publication(s). Sexual orientation and gender identity minority members were least frequently specified as beneficiaries of diversity statements, initiatives, and publications. Societies with larger memberships were more likely to have membership diversity initiatives (p = 0.01), journal articles on membership diversity (p = 0.005), and be "diversity leaders" (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Public support of membership diversity by many North American radiology societies, especially those with fewer members, is lacking. Identified "diversity leaders" can serve as models for societies aiming to establish their commitment to diversity.

American Psychiatric Association's Leadership Fellowship Program: Short-term and Longer-term Outcomes

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the impact of a Leadership Fellowship, sponsored by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and APA Foundation, on the careers of psychiatry residents and examined the influence of gender and year of Fellowship completion. This 2-year program for residents offered multiple opportunities to interact with professional leaders at various levels.

METHODS

A retrospective online survey of alumni of the APA Leadership Fellowship, who had completed this Fellowship between 2003 and 2019, was conducted.

RESULTS

Out of the 93 psychiatrists who were sent the survey, 59 alumni responded (60.8% response rate). Most respondents had remained involved with organized psychiatry groups and 80% held leadership positions. Respondents reported high levels of satisfaction with the APA Fellowship experience, noting the importance of peer networking. Overall, male and female respondents were similar in their subsequent leadership positions and satisfaction with the survey. Similarly, Fellows who completed the Fellowship in 2003-2015 had responses about the experience that were largely similar to those in the 2016-2019 cohort that had not yet completed their residency.

CONCLUSION

A vast majority of alumni of the APA Leadership Fellowship had become leaders in their workplace or organized psychiatry groups. The leadership-focused career development programs for psychiatry trainees are important avenues to develop a diverse cohort of future leaders in psychiatry.

Blind in the right eye? The practice of awarding honorary memberships by German and Austrian dental societies (1949-1993) to Nazi dentists: A study on the role of National Socialism in post-war dentistry

According to ongoing public discourse, the dental profession in Germany and Austria has found it rather difficult to come to terms with the National Socialist past. Against this background, this study focuses on the practice of awarding honorary memberships by German and Austrian dental societies in the years 1949-1993. In particular, it examines how previous memberships in the Nazi party or other Nazi organisations were handled. We identified a total of 86 honourees, 47 of whom (55 %) were members of the NSDAP during the Third Reich, whereas only two were of Jewish origin. This leads to two conclusions: (1) Previous involvement with Nazi organisations was obviously not a limiting factor in the selection of honourees, and (2) after 1945, the Jewish colleagues were marginalised for a second time-now by being largely overlooked. The reasons of both findings are analysed and contextualised.

Paying Our Dues: The Role of Professional Societies in the Evolution of Mathematical Biology Education

Mathematical biology education provides key foundational underpinnings for the scholarly work of mathematical biology. Professional societies support such education efforts via funding, public speaking opportunities, Web presence, publishing, workshops, prizes, opportunities to discuss curriculum design, and support of mentorship and other means of sustained communication among communities of scholars. Such programs have been critical to the broad expansion of the range and visibility of research and educational activities in mathematical biology. We review these efforts, past and present, across multiple societies-the Society for Mathematical Biology (SMB), the Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research (BEER), the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM). We then proceed to suggest ways that professional societies can serve as advocates and community builders for mathematical biologists at all levels, noting that education continues throughout a career and also emphasizing the value of educating new generations of students. Our suggestions include collecting and disseminating data related to biomath education; developing and maintaining mentoring systems and research communities; and providing incentives and visibility for educational efforts within mathematical biology.

Rheumatology in Ukraine

Rheumatology in Ukraine is based on established research and clinical infrastructure that enable the integration with regional and global societies. This article overviews current state of Ukrainian rheumatology, important steps toward expanding clinical settings, and opportunities for strengthening cooperation of local rheumatologists and patients with rheumatic diseases with related international societies. The main achievements and some challenges encountered by the Association of Rheumatologists of Ukraine are outlined. The Association supports continuing medical education of local specialists and explores options for advancing research and publishing in rheumatology. One of the main challenges still remains the creation of registries of patients with rheumatic diseases and expansion of activities of public societies with interest in combating rheumatic diseases. The issue of inadequate access to immunobiological therapies is also highlighted.

The academic tweet: Twitter as a tool to advance academic surgery

Social media, Twitter in particular, has emerged as an essential tool for surgeons. In the realm of academic surgery, it enables surgeons to advance the core values of academic surgery, as outlined by the Association for Academic Surgery: inclusion, leadership, innovation, scholarship, and mentorship. This article details the ways in which surgeons are using Twitter to embody these values and how the Twitter account for the Association of Academic Surgeons accomplishes its goal of inspiring and developing young academic surgeons.

Southwestern Surgical Congress Jack A. Barney award competition presenters - Where are they now?

BACKGROUND

Resident research presentations at surgical conferences may encourage future research endeavors.

METHODS

2010-2016 SWSC annual meeting programs were reviewed for presenters eligible for the Jack Barney award. Award recipients from 1987 to 2016 were included.

RESULTS

There were 100 unique presenters eligible for the Jack Barney award, and 28 unique award recipients. Thirty-six (82%) presenters currently practice in a community setting, 5 (11%) at a university hospital, 2 (5%) internationally, and 1 (2%) in a military hospital. Scholarly articles were published by 41% of presenters. Sixteen of the 28 recipients (57%) practice in community hospitals, and 9 (32%) practice in university settings; 3 are still in training. Twenty recipients (71%) published after residency. Thirty percent and 25% of presenters and recipients are SWSC members, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Peer-reviewed publications were frequent among eligible presenters and award recipients. Encouraging presenters to become SWSC members provides an opportunity for improved retention.

Proceedings from Heart Rhythm Society's emerging technologies forum, Boston, MA, May 12, 2015

Physicians are in an excellent position to significantly contribute to medical device innovation, but the process of bringing an idea to the bedside is complex. To begin to address these perceived barriers, the Heart Rhythm Society convened a forum of stakeholders in medical device innovation in conjunction with the 2015 Heart Rhythm Society Annual Scientific Sessions. The forum facilitated open discussion on medical device innovation, including obstacles to physician involvement and possible solutions. This report is based on the themes that emerged. First, physician innovators must take an organized approach to identifying unmet clinical needs and potential solutions. Second, extensive funds, usually secured through solicitation for investment, are often required to achieve meaningful progress, developing an idea into a device. Third, planning for regulatory requirements of the US Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is essential. In addition to these issues, intellectual property and overall trends in health care, including international markets, are critically relevant considerations for the physician innovator. Importantly, there are a number of ways in which professional societies can assist physician innovators to navigate the complex medical device innovation landscape, bring clinically meaningful devices to market more quickly, and ultimately improve patient care. These efforts include facilitating interaction between potential collaborators through scientific meetings and other gatherings; collecting, evaluating, and disseminating state-of-the-art scientific information; and representing the interests of members in interactions with regulators and policymakers.

Conflict of interest and professional medical associations: the North American Spine Society experience

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Recently the financial relationships between industry and professional medical associations have come under increased scrutiny because of the concern that industry ties may create real or perceived conflicts of interest. Professional medical associations pursue public advocacy as well as promote medical education, develop clinical practice guidelines, fund research, and regulate professional conduct. Therefore, the conflicts of interest of a professional medical association and its leadership can have more far-reaching effects on patient care than those of an individual physician.

PURPOSE

Few if any professional medical associations have reported their experience with implementing strict divestment and disclosure policies, and among the policies that have been issued, there is little uniformity. We describe the experience of the North American Spine Society (NASS) in implementing comprehensive conflicts of interest policies.

STUDY DESIGN

A special feature article.

METHODS

We discuss financial conflicts of interest as they apply to professional medical associations rather than to individual physicians. We describe the current policies of disclosure and divestment adopted by the NASS and how these policies have evolved, been refined, and have had no detrimental impact on membership, attendance at annual meetings, finances, or leadership recruitment. No funding was received for this work. The authors report no potential conflict-of-interest-associated biases in the text.

RESULTS

The NASS has shown that a professional medical association can manage its financial relationships with industry in a manner that minimizes influence and bias.

CONCLUSIONS

The NASS experience can provide a template for other professional medical associations to help manage their own possible conflicts of interest issues.

Role of professional societies in career development

Professional medical societies serve several functions that may benefit society, the sponsoring medical profession, and individual members. Several professional societies are available for colorectal surgeons to join and participate in. Reasons to join include service, educational offerings, networking, and companionship. Participation can vary from membership to leadership. The advantages and costs of participation and how this may enhance a surgeon's career are described in this article.