A Snapshot of Pulmonary Medicine at the Turn of the Century

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Abstract
The Membership Committee developed a survey to assess demo- tices, and areas of specialization of members, as well as to graphics, training, professional activities, and needs of a diverse elicit responses regarding satisfaction with the Society activi- membership with a growing international segment. It also provided ties. This represents the first comprehensive survey of pulmo- an opportunity to determine how the Society reflects the current nary physician practices, and includes both U.S. and interna- state of pulmonary medicine in the United States. A self-adminis- tional members. tered survey was mailed to active members. Of responding mem- bers, 80% reside in the United States or Canada; the remainder METHODS come from 90 different countries. The majority of North American respondents (79%) were white, non-Hispanic. Seventeen percent of Survey Development respondents were female. Female respondents were younger, with The ATS Membership Committee was charged with developing a sur- a mean age of 42 years, compared with 47 years for males. Sixty- vey to address issues related to demographics, training and professional five percent of respondents identified clinical practice, 20% re- activities, type of practice, and faculty affiliation of its membership. In search, and 5% teaching as their major activity. More women (33%) November 1998, Phase I of the ATS Membership Survey was initiated. than men (22%) identified themselves as researchers. The majority A six-page, self-administered survey was sent to 13,598 members (3,113 of respondents (69%) have a medical school faculty affiliation. The international, and 10,485 United States and Canada). A reminder post- American Thoracic Society represents a global organization with card was sent 3 weeks after the initial mailing, and a second mailing was diverse clinical expertise and scientific interests. The majority of sent to all nonresponders 1 month later. Survey replies were accepted respondents are clinicians; however, the membership has a strong through April 1999. At the completion of Phase I, a preliminary data academic bent with most reporting academic affiliation, and de- analysis was conducted. From this initial analysis, 13 items were deleted scribing teaching as a secondary activity. from the questionnaire in an effort to increase the response rate and the revised questionnaire was mailed out to nonresponders (Phase II).