A Message from the President
By Janet Namini-Sabuco
Dear NAAPA Colleagues:
Over this last year I have reflected on the conversations coming through our list serv and it always strikes me as to the diversity of our worlds and the depth of appreciation we all have for each other’s advice and thoughtful insight. We deeply depend on each other as we know gathering an outside perspective is so critical to moving our respective departments forward in the turbulent world of academic medicine. More than ever, the importance of our subspecialty is gaining further interest and respect as psychiatric illnesses are recognized as strongly affecting the outcome of other medical conditions (~18% of the U.S. adult population suffers from some form of mental illness [National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, 2014 report]) as well as the burden and prevalence of mental illness over a person’s lifetime (see JAMA diagram #1 below ).
Examples of some of the trends and changes we have all encounters include:
· A greater interest from other medical disciplines to embrace “collaborative care” models of treatment, such as embedding consult-liaison programs in medical practices or telepsychiatry services in an emergency room.
· Increased difficulty in gaining grant awards due to changes within NIH- NIMH and constrained NIH budgets (see “Awards, Success, and Funding Rates” NIH chart #2 below).
· Continued increased rules and oversight of our educational programs from the AC-GME such as changes to duty hour standards.
· Increasing need for psychiatric services due to the Affordable Care Act with a constrained workforce (from 1995 over 19 years, while the population rose by 37% the number of psychiatrists rose only by 12% [US News and World Reports, 9/15 article, “Where have all of the Psychiatrist Gone”])
All of that said, we push forward. Our group continues to grow and change as the Membership Committee has performed wonderful work to outreach to both currently represented organizations as well as other departments that haven’t had a NAAPA member for some time. This has produced a gain of 11 new members as of April bringing the total to 117 current active members representing 86 institutions!
I am honored that you have granted me the privilege to serve as your NAAPA President this year and am excited to work with our dedicated board members to continue to develop the organization as a helpful resource for your work.
Together, we all make a difference in our departments and our professions, ultimately drive forward the practice of academic psychiatry.
Warmest Regards,
Janet
JAMA diagram #1
The State of US Health, 1990-2010: Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors
JAMA. 2013;310(6):591-606. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.13805
Number of Years Lived With Disability by Age for 20 Broad Groups of Diseases and Injuries in the United States in 2010 for Both Sexes Combined
Copyright © 2016 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Awards, Success and Funding Rates NIH chart #2
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