Publications
APS Bulletin • Volume 15, Number 3, Summer 2005
President’s Message
APS—Who, What, and Why
Dennis C. Turk, PhD
It is appropriate from time to time that we reflect on our society—who we are, what we stand for, and why do we exist.
The American Pain Society is a multidisciplinary organization comprising more than 3,300 individual and corporate members. The membership reflects the broad spectrum of healthcare providers, scientists, consumer (patient) advocacy groups, and industrial companies. Members include physicians representing many specialties (i.e., anesthesiology, gynecology, internal medicine, neurology, neurosurgery, oncology, oral/facial surgery, orthopedic surgery, pediatrics, pharmacy, physical medicine and rehabilitation, psychiatry, rheumatology, and urology), dentists, nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists, physical therapists, psychologists, social workers, and chiropractors. The interests of members are exceedingly diverse and can be viewed from different spectra that are not mutually exclusive: (1) developmental (pediatrics to geriatrics), (2) focus of activities (basic science, neuroscience, clinical science, clinical practice, and health policy), (3) disease entity or diagnosis, (4) treatment modality—focused, and (5) place of employment (e.g., hospital, university, government, clinical practice, pharmaceutical industry). The American Pain Society is a national chapter of the International Association for the Study of Pain, and although our membership predominantly consists of Americans (all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia), we also have members from 25 countries representing Africa, Asia, Central America, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and South America. That is a snapshot of who we are.
What is the American Pain Society? A diverse collection of people committed to better understanding pain and improving the treatment of pain sufferers. The society comprises a voluntary group who make the decision to pay to be members and to associate with this organization. Many members not only pay to belong to the society but generously “donate” their time by serving as officers and members of committees and task forces, and submitting materials for the society’s media (e.g., APS Bulletin, E-News, Web site). These are all truly volunteers; they receive no financial compensation for their contributions.
The daily operations of APS are conducted by a management company, AMC, with Catherine Underwood serving as Executive Director. In addition to daily operations, AMC staff provide support for the Board, committee, and task force activities, oversee all logistical aspects of the Annual Scientific Meeting, publish the Clinical Practice Guidelines and other documents, and much more.
Perhaps the most important question to consider is “Why?” Why does our society exist? APS’s mission statement states succinctly what we are about: “The mission of the American Pain Society is to advance pain-related research, education, treatment, and professional practice.” Why do people choose to join and participate in APS? Like any voluntary organization, APS exists because there is a perception that as a group we can solve common problems, meet common needs, and accomplish goals that are important to us. APS exists because there is a common belief that as a group we can better fulfill the society’s mission that matches our own.
To the original set of questions in the title of this column, I can pose another: What are APS’s most valuable resources? Two readily come to mind. Our most important resource is our members—you and me. Without us there is no society. A close second is our credibility as a society. Without our authority and reputation for trustworthiness, we would lose our reason to exist. This is a unique and very precious commodity. Protecting our reputation is essential, all too easy to lose and extremely difficult to regain. As one effort to ensure and maintain the society’s credibility, the Board adopted a set of Guiding Principles for decision-making regarding the society’s involvement in the sponsorship of activities. I have listed these below so that you can better understand how we will review all proposals.
- The activity* supports the mission of the American Pain Society.
- Participation in the activity maintains our credibility, supports our membership, and enhances financial resources.
- The activity is of scientific and/or clinical importance.
- The activity is in an area of pain management that warrants attention/ educational efforts.
- The activity reflects an interdisciplinary perspective when appropriate.
- The activity meets AACME guidelines (if appropriate).
- The activity provides unique opportunities for partnership(s).
- The American Pain Society has the time and resources to participate in the activity.
As a member of APS, you are both an owner of the society and a recipient of the programs and services provided. As an owner, you have an obligation for the success of APS in accomplishing its mission. Your participation is vital. As a member, the society has an obligation to provide you with programs and services that you value. As officers and staff, you have put your trust in us. We want to know how well we are fulfilling our respon- sibilities as stewards of APS to you as both owners and members of APS. We welcome your comments on the Guiding Principles enumerated above, as well as any aspect of the society’s activities.
*Activity refers to an array of opportunities (e.g., CME activities, position papers, joint sponsorship of meetings, coalitions, social events) that the American Pain Society is invited to participate in as a sponsor, partner, or endorser.
Dennis C. Turk, PhD, is the John and Emma Bonica Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Research in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Washington in Seattle, e-mail turkdc@u.washington.edu