Cath Lab Digest

Online Poll Reveals Initial Hesitance About ASPS Membership

By Brian McCurdy, Senior Editor

   How will the recent establishment of the American Society of Podiatric Surgeons (ASPS) as the new surgical affiliate of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) affect the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) and the profession in general? A recent Podiatry Today online poll provides some preliminary clues.

   Out of 163 DPMs who responded to the poll, 44 percent (71 people) say they would not apply to the ASPS while 18 percent (30 people) are current members. Twenty-seven percent (44 people) are taking a “wait and see” approach before joining. Nine percent (14 votes) are applying soon for membership while 2 percent (four people) have applied and are waiting to hear about approval.

   Mary Crawford, DPM, the President of ACFAS, is not surprised by the poll results.

    “Podiatric surgeons are evidence-oriented, rational thinkers and are likely to assess very carefully the best choice for their professional affiliations before making any decisions,” notes Dr. Crawford, who adds that the current ACFAS membership numbers (6,000) have not been impacted by the establishment of the ASPS.

   Granted, the ASPS is a relatively new organization as it became an official affiliate of the APMA in March. Comparatively, the ACFAS has been around for nearly seven decades as it was founded in 1942. Another key distinction is that the ACFAS requires Board status for membership, emphasizes Dr. Crawford. She says ACFAS Fellows “have significant prestige and credibility with patients, hospitals, and other healthcare providers” and this reputation is built over time.

    “I think that is the reality of building a successful professional society,” notes Dr. Crawford. “You have to prove your value and relevance year after year. We have tried to be very careful with our brand—especially now that it is so established in the community.”

   Alan Catanzariti, DPM, praises the educational resources of the ACFAS for podiatric surgery, seminars, CME, print materials, Webcasts and podcasts. He notes that the ACFAS is well organized, accessible and adept at managing political issues. He thinks the ASPS needs to provide the aforementioned benefits for its members.

   With the establishment of the ASPS, does the ACFAS need to do anything to adapt? In two surveys in June, the ACFAS membership noted that they wanted the college to “stick to the mission” regarding CME, patient referrals, surgical health policy, parity issues and practice management, according to Dr. Crawford. She says while the ACFAS will listen to its members and tweak its business plan accordingly, they see no dramatic mission changes in the future. Dr. Catanzariti, a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, feels that the college should stick to its mission.

How Will Two Surgical Groups Affect Podiatry?

   Dr. Catanzariti feels the presence of two podiatric surgery organizations will have an adverse effect on the profession, saying the groups will duplicate their efforts and possibly dilute the pool of resources. Dr. Crawford believes it is too early to predict the effect of having two surgical groups. She does note that ACFAS members are able to choose their own professional affiliations just like physicians in allopathic or osteopathic medicine.

    “ACFAS membership is at an all-time high, which would seem to indicate that one surgical organization in the profession is sufficient,” notes Dr. Crawford. “However, competition is always healthy so the college’s job will be to focus on its strengths and deliver the best value for its members. This has always been our formula for success.”

   In regard to legislative efforts in podiatry, Dr. Crawford says the APMA and ACFAS have rarely disagreed on any legislation. She feels the two groups will continue to advance podiatric surgery and patient care at the state and federal levels.