What are the three best predictors of members’ satisfaction with the American Association of Neurological Surgeons? A higher number of contacts with the AANS Executive Office, high ratings on the AANS Bulletin, and satisfaction with member discounts offered on course or annual meeting registration, according to the latest AANS survey.
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It is no surprise that concerns about malpractice premiums and reimbursement issues were the most frequently reported major challenges facing neurosurgeons. And, AANS representation/collective strength was the most-cited reason for members renewing their membership (more than 40 percent). In fact, 98 percent of members indicated they would renew their membership.
Statistical analysis based on age, number of years in practice, practice location, practice type or practice setting revealed few significant differences in how respondents answered survey questions.
Continuing Education The core of the AANS’ mission is to advance the specialty of neurological surgery, and a substantial portion of the survey was dedicated to learning about members’ educational needs. At times what is most interesting is what was not found. The survey asked members what criteria, other than course topic, they use in deciding whether or not to attend a meeting. Faculty, meeting dates (scheduling) and an “enjoyable destination” played the greatest roles in members’ decision to attend a meeting; meeting locations near their practices were less important.
An open-ended question about topic preferences for courses yielded many write-in suggestions for minimally invasive spinal fusion, spinal instrumentation, endoscopy and cerebrovascular techniques. Neurosurgical coding and risk management also received high interest ratings of 78 percent and 69 percent, respectively.
In addition to course attendance, the AANS also wanted to learn about members’ interest in self-education opportunities. Members of all ages and demographics were equally interested in DVDs and ‘archived” online education such as case studies (84 percent) or articles (79 percent respectively). Educational CDs received 75 percent of responses, and almost 74 percent were interested in online courses. The AANS asked members for their single most important deciding factor when purchasing self-education products. Respondents indicated:
- Presenter/faculty/author: 28 percent
- Ability to obtain CME: 26 percent
- Product price: 21 percent
When asked which scientific journal they would read if they could read only one, 42 percent of members chose Neurosurgery, and 41 percent selected the AANS Journal of Neurosurgery.
Member Services Member discounts on course or annual meeting registration was the highest rated member benefit (89 percent), followed by:
- complimentary CME tracking: 87 percent
- AANS Bulletin: 82 percent
- complimentary personalized online CME transcripts and award certificates through MyAANS.org: 81 percent
Members also reported that maintaining a Web site to educate the public about neurosurgery and the role of neurosurgeons was important (80 percent).
Demographics About 43 percent of the respondents indicated they were in private practices, while 32 percent were full-time academicians. There is a 10-point shift from private practice to full-time academic compared to the 2002 survey. It is possible that more members from academic settings chose to respond to the survey. However, due to the large sample size demographic representations were maintained.
When asked about percentage of time spent in subspecialty areas, about 58 percent selected “spine,” while 31 percent chose “pediatrics” and 25 percent selected “endovascular.”
A demographic profile of AANS membership based on this survey is available in the membership area of www.AANS.org.
Kathleen T. Craig is AANS director of marketing.