Funding RPS/MSS Groups

One of the biggest concerns with RPS and MSS groups is HOW to fund the group. Of course you want a fun and exciting group with parties to celebrate special occasions, fun activities and get-togethers for members, etc. etc., but you also need to keep membership dues down to encourage participation and not turn people off because of the cost.

Here are some of the ideas my group came up with to support our group. First of all, the group found two main sponsors. The sponsors gave the group a set amount of funds each year as well as helping with our yearly resident-mailings. For the sponsors, the group agreed to only allow the sponsors to advertise for the group within their fields. We also placed an advertisement for our sponsors on the main page of our Web page. Along with these sponsors, if there was a particular party we wanted to have we would occasionally find a sponsor for that party. They would cover the costs of food and we would allow them to hand out papers and advertise at the party.

So, how to find sponsors? This was actually very easy for our group to do. Once businesses in the community saw that we were looking for sponsors, they were very excited to sign-up. It is definitely a win-win when working with these sponsors, and they realize that!

A huge amount of our yearly budget was raised by sending out incoming-resident packets. Within this packet, we include advertisements for local businesses. We charge each business a set fee and they are allowed to include a one-page advertisement. As well as business advertisements, we also include housing information. Anyone who is selling or renting a house they believe would be appropriate for an incoming-resident can include a flyer for their home at a set price. This has been a great way for our group to inform incoming-residents about local businesses and potential houses as well as raise a large amount of money for our group’s budget.

As you can see, there are definitely ways to subsidize your RPS or MSS group budget. Don't be afraid to contact local businesses and let them know what you are looking for. They will love the advertisement and you will be able to keep your membership fees down.

Any other ideas on how to fund RPS/MSS groups?

Medical Students Experience Health System's Ills

During a summer program providing primary care in rural and underserved areas, medical students from the University of Washington School of Medicine discovered a host of problems in the nation's primary care system. A recent New York Times article describes their experiences.

The Times interviewed one student who shadowed a pediatrician who saw as many as 45 patients each day, and was able to spend only five minutes with each patient. Another worked in a community health center where four out of five patients had no health insurance. Many of the students concluded that primary care, which can involve working long, unsatisfying hours and often makes it difficult to raise a family and pay off medical school debt, was not for them.

Read more.

Free registration for the AMA Alliance Leadership Development Conference

The AMA Alliance Leadership Development Conference (LDC), to be held October 4-6, 2009, at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Hotel, is a two-and-a-half day networking and team-building opportunity for all Alliance members to ensure our voice in support of medical families.

Best of all, registration is free for Medical Students, Medical Student Spouses, Resident Physicians, and Resident Physician Spouses who are current members of the AMA Alliance. Don't miss this great opportunity to boost your leadership skills and meet other physician families from across the nation!

See what we're offering and register for the meeting at http://www.amaalliance.org/site/epage/64805_625.htm

Take a FIRST step in learning about student debt

Need help navigating the complexities of student debt? The Financial Information, Resources, Services, and Tools (FIRST) resource, developed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) in collaboration with the medical school financial aid community and the Organization of Student Representatives, can assist you.

FIRST offers a full range of information for applicants, medical school students, residents, advisors and financial aid officers. The goal of the resource is to help medical school borrowers expand their financial literacy, make smart decisions about student loans and manage their student debt wisely.

Resource for Non-Clinical Jobs

If you or the physician in your life is considering a non-clinical healthcare career, there are a number of options that don't involve patient care or long hours. Nonclinicaljobs.com, a blog for physicians and healthcare professionals who want to learn about nonclinical medical opportunities, is a helpful resource. In addition to information on nonclinical healthcare jobs, the blog covers relevant issues such as work/life balance, job-hunting tips, part-time work versus non-clinical work, establishing an online presence, retooling your resume and much more.

Maintaining A Sense of Self during Residency

According to a study from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, many young doctors feel that their medical training is so important that they are willing to sacrifice their identity and personal life in order to learn how to care for patients. However, "when the imbalance persists for longer than initially expected, professional growth is not enough to sustain most young doctors. " In this New York Times article, one physician discusses how she learned to find time for herself.

How do you and your spouse find a balance between medical training and personal/family life? Please share your experiences in the comments.

Primary Care Physician Shortage

According to an article in the Washington Post, the increasing shortage of primary care physicians is due to lower salaries for these physicians, the desire for more flexible schedules, lower prestige, and doctors' desire for greater control over their lifestyle. Have these issues affected the career path of the physician in your family? What do you think it would take to attract more young physicians to primary care?