Communication and Strategic Goals, Planning for Our Future

2009 will likely be remembered by most physicians for the turmoil of “Health Care Reform” and the downturn of our economy. The changing scenario in American politics will no doubt insure continued controversy and distraction by these topics for a while. However, 2009 should be remembered for the significant work by many to further mature and grow our academy.Over 25 years ago, the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) started as the American College of Algology. Our Academy, however, has grown far from the days where a small group of individuals control its fate. As the size of our academy grows and the projects we are involved in multiplies, the complexity of maintaining order out of chaos increases. In 2009, I am proud to say the board of directors of AAPM has worked to ensure that a professional society such as ours maintains its ability to function in these times of both regulatory and economic challenges.An association of professionals spread out across the country is by its nature, a disparate group. Pulling together as a single unit with a coherent purpose can be difficult. Technology helps of course, but technology can take us only so far. I strongly believe that we need to focus on our communication with one another, particularly the communication within the AAPM leadership and between the leadership and its members. If we are to continue to succeed as a leader in pain medicine, our communication infrastructure must remain strong.As a result, to ensure that our internal communication is all that it should be, several goals have been set for the AAPM leadership. The goals …