Looking into the Future
The first five years of AFPRD have been ones of achievement and growth. The consensus of those involved in conceptualizing the organization is that this has indeed been a very successful endeavor.
"Membership support is incredible," says Penelope K. Tippy, MD. By 1995, over 95% of eligible directors were members.
In 1993 the AFPRD board prepared a strategic plan for its next five years. Of the 22 goals it set to accomplish by 1998, many had been accomplished by 1995, among them:
- To have more than 90% of program directors as members
- To continue a positive close relationship with AAFP
- To lead the development of program directors as educators and administrators
- To provide leadership in graduate medical education
- To promote ethical principles among program directors, and
- To provide training to new program directors in cooperation with RAP, STFM, and ABFP
Much remains to be done, of course. Among the issues that still need to be addressed are ways to involve more members and to include others such as former program directors or those carrying out director duties without the title; the involvement of AFMRD in retaining other specialists as family physicians; income sources for the group; and graduate medical education financing reform.
The positive view of past accomplishments leads organizers to a predominantly positive view of AFMRD's future. As Dr. Tippy predicts, "AFMRD will become even more influential with experience and 'savvy' that comes with years."
The most important task AFPRD and the other members of the family will have in the future, believes Dr. Saultz, relates to the different training that will be needed for the twenty-first century.
"Currently family physicians tend to think they are the best prepared for health care reform," he says, "but in fact no one is completely prepared. AFMRD may be in the best position to bring this about."
Finally in discussing the group's future, Dr. Layton returned once again to the primary reason for its formation in the first place -- "AFPRD is a voice that will continue to grow into a major leadership effort."