In the first comprehensive AANS member needs survey in more than three years, members reported they are pleased with the quality of AANS service and member benefits. “AANS is the leading organization for the neurosurgical profession,” said Martin H. Weiss, MD, AANS President. “We’re pleased that the offerings members feel are most valuable to them are the same offerings that leadership identifies as priority projects.”
The majority of survey respondents feel that they are well-informed about AANS activities and services, that staff is responsive to their needs, and view AANS programs as excellent or good. Members agreed that AANS should continually assess the opinions of the membership through written surveys and focus groups.
According to the member needs survey, members see the AANS as a force for advancing education, representation, public education and research. Member feedback will be used in strategic planning to determine where to allocate vital resources.
Members were asked to identify the most important benefits of AANS membership, as well as the products and services that offer members the greatest value. The Journal of Neurosurgery, the Directory of Neurological Surgery, and the AANS Annual Meeting ranked the highest. Continuing medical education tracking and member representation at the national level scored the second highest ratings. Other member benefits cited include:
- Information on regulatory issues and changes in the health care environment
- Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine
- AANS Neurosurgical Atlases and books on neurosurgical clinical topics
- Eligibility for Section membership
- Outcomes data collection
- AANS continuing education courses
Managed care issues emerged as the trend making the most impact on respondents’ practices. Eighty-six percent identified Medicare fee schedules as having a great impact on their practice. Decreasing reimbursement (75%), growth of managed care (68%) and national health care changes (61%) followed closely behind. An equal number of respondents(61%) rated state-level health care changes as having a high impact on their practice.
Members want AANS to take an active role in two major trends: our relationship with the neurosurgical community, and public education. Eighty-three percent of respondents believe neurosurgical organizations should consolidate their activities. An equal number cited the enforcement of the AANS Code of Ethics as essential.
Members want AANS to educate the public about neurosurgery, particularly regarding Board certification: 77 percent say AANS should aggressively position Board-certified neurosurgeons to the general public. In addition, 72 percent are interested in purchasing patient information on neurosurgical procedures/topics and 69 percent want a consumer’s guide to neurosurgery. Members also voiced support of media efforts, with 61 percent indicating AANS should allocate funds to cultivate positive media coverage of neurosurgery.
Members also cited other areas in which AANS could help them (see graph).
AANS has already begun to address several of the issues prominent in the survey. Public education campaigns (including media efforts) and professional liability program proposals are under development (see malpractice insurance program sidebar on page 34). Many new practice management books offer guidance on practicing successfully under managed care. Based on an analysis of this survey, an assortment of new programs will be offered this year.
For more information, call Member Services at (888) 566-AANS