Getting involved in AMA-MSS or not

[RedWingsFan05]

Hey guys,

I'm an M1 student and was interested in getting involved w/ AMA-MSS. But I'll be honest. I'm not super interested in policy or legislature, I just feel that being involved w/ AMA, and potentially being Pres. of our chapter and involved nationally would help me stand out over other candidates come interview time. I might also be able to network at some of the national, state, or local meetings with other doctors?

But the thing that scares me is the time commitment. I'd have to attend local, state, regional and national meetings, and also obviously be involved w/ our own chapter and subcommittees. I'm not sure if this would hinder me in getting involved w/ interest groups, doing research, studying for M1 yr and Step 1 next yr, etc.

Any thoughts or advice?

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[scorm]

Don't do it unless you really want to. You obviously don't, so don't do it.

 

[Leonidis I]

terrible idea especially since you have no passion for it. the time where you needed to jump through hoops by doing dumb EC's you weren't interested in ended the day you got accepted to medical school. only get involved in stuff that you're passionate about (the ONLY exception being research, if you're interested in a highly competitive field)

also where you go to school and the strings pulled by your dean and other people in your med school's administration with residency program directors before the match far outweighs any networking you can pull off by being actively involved in AMA.

 

[DoctorDermis]

Hey guys,

I'm an M1 student and was offered the opportunity to be heavily involved with our school's chapter of AMA-MSS. I think I might be able to be President of the chapter next yr and maybe get involved nationally as well. But I'll be honest. I'm not super interested in policy or legislature, I just feel that saying I was involved w/ AMA, and potentially being Pres. of our chapter and involved nationally would help me stand out over other candidates come interview time. I might also be able to network at some of the national, state, or local meetings with other doctors?

But the thing that scares me is the time commitment. I'd have to attend local, state, regional and national meetings, and also obviously be involved w/ our own chapter and subcommittees. I'm not sure if this would hinder me in getting involved w/ interest groups, doing research, studying for M1 yr and Step 1 next yr, etc.

Any thoughts or advice?

How much do you value your free time and hobbies?
Since most of your hobbies / interests / time with friends will dry up...you may want to commit to something that interests you and has a real, direct, tangible benefit towards the specialty you desire to apply for. Otherwise, take it easy and have fun whenever you get the chance...cuz it only gets worse.

 

[IJL]

How much do you value your free time and hobbies?
Since most of your hobbies / interests / time with friends will dry up...you may want to commit to something that interests you and has a real, direct, tangible benefit towards the specialty you desire to apply for. Otherwise, take it easy and have fun whenever you get the chance...cuz it only gets worse.

That's certainly not true for everyone

 

[AlmostAnMD]

I got rapid review pathology by joining

seemed like an OK deal

 

[chronicidal]

I got rapid review pathology by joining

seemed like an OK deal

paying $100 for a $30 product; sounds OK.

 

[GunbydayJREbynt]

I lean towards being morally opposed to the AMA (and AHA, etc.). Admittedly though, I'm far from an expert on the matter, so I am not going to proselytize. However, in addition to considering if it's a good way to secure a residency spot, maybe also look into the history of the organization and see if it is something you would still like to devote your time to. It seems to me, from the medical students I know, that rarely does anyone investigate the nature of these organizations before they join. You may already be educated on the matter, in which case I would still say that you should spend the precious time you have outside studying on something that you really enjoy and that rejuvenates your mental health.

 

[tiedyeddog]

paying $100 for a $30 product; sounds OK.

Lol

 

[KinasePro]

paying $100 for a $30 product; sounds OK.

Besides rapid review, you save >$70 on kaplan Qbank subscription and get a hard copy of JAMA delivered to your mailbox weekly. Not a bad deal actually, especially if you like to peruse the medical literature whilst pooping.

 

[michaelrack]

Any thoughts or advice?

Join the AMA, get the free/reduced price crap, and then decide if you want to get more involved (run for office, etc)
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edit:
My advice applies to this: "I'm an M1 student and was interested in getting involved w/ AMA-MSS" and not this "I'm an M1 student and was offered the opportunity to be heavily involved with our school's chapter of AMA-MSS"

 

[chronicidal]

Besides rapid review, you save >$70 on kaplan Qbank subscription and get a hard copy of JAMA delivered to your mailbox weekly. Not a bad deal actually, especially if you like to peruse the medical literature whilst pooping.

how many people actually read JAMA?

if you're serious about reading the literature, invest in a subscription to NEJM

 

[KinasePro]

how many people actually read JAMA?

if you're serious about reading the literature, invest in a subscription to NEJM

Meh, it beats twiddling your thumbs or playing angry birds while on the can.

The point is though that AMA costs nothing if you were planning to purchase RR and Kaplan Qbank anyway. JAMA is just a perk.

Plus, paying for any journal subscription while a student is doing it wrong, by definition. Just use your school's proxy.

 

[COXblocker]

Hey OP,

I am the president of our school's chapter and represent our state to the AMA. Perhaps my views can be of assistance.

First, agreeing with the AMA has nothing to do with it. I am strongly opposed to some of their positions. Others I agree with in theory while disagreeing with their implementation. The AMA, while not representing anywhere near the percentage of doctors it used to, is still the #1 lobbying group for physicians and students. The fastest way to impact the progress of medical policy is to become active the AMA. Even if all you get is your one vote in a sea of dissenters, it did more than sitting on the sidelines and complaining. You can accomplish this by writing resolutions that become policy, or even just entering the discussion on such work. There are state and national position that include voting delegates, both within the AMA-MSS and in the AMA itself.

As for the swag, it's worth it to be a student and take advantage of the discounts, specifically if you like Kaplan products. Between their Q bank and Rapid Review and JAMA, which I actually perused to feel smarter, I thought I got my money's worth. Our state/county also funds Lobby day, which is a great opportunity to meet physicians and state/national representatives. This alone is worth the cost, even if you are not actively engaged in the policy side. As you go on in your career, the cost increasing, but for students, it's cheap in hopes that they rope you in while your mind is malleable.

Lastly, you mentioned holding a school position. There is a lot of stuff to do at your school that has nothing to do with making policy. It's a job to just find the relevant information and distribute it to students. You can set up talks by knowledgable people on the current state of healthcare. There is also a robust charitable foundation all funded by the AMA. As for the chapter presidency, while usually it goes to someone passionate about policy, the position is best filled by a coordinator. If you have a certain student representing your school, as president there is a lot to do to help him/her. Successfully quarterbacking the multiple interests of your chapter would look great on a CV and be a great conversation topic, let alone personal leadership development opportunity.

PM me if you need any more info or just want to talk about the different organizations. (Goes for anyone on this thread).

 

[Kahreek]

i would join AMA, and by that i mean american motorcyclist association

 

[AlmostAnMD]

I like my JAMA subscription, actually.

Not just for the original articles (I usually just read the abstracts unless it's a field I"m interested in) but the poetry and piece of my mind section is kinda cool