Is it really worth joining these organizations?

[ViergeEnnuyeuse]

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I keep receiving emails asking if I want to join American Medical Association and Texas Medical Association. Are there any benefits for joining these organizations or are they just resume fillers? I don't want to spend the money for dues if I'm not going to get much out of it.

 

[MadameLULU]

TMA is free.
There is a membership fee for AMA ($65/4 years??? someone correct me if that's not right), and its up to you to determine how active you want to be in your chapter/region. I don't know if many people join just for resume fillers? I think at this point, most residency programs see through that. If you're interested in the issues, or the potential to affect policy, then I don't see any harm in joining unless you don't want to pay the fee.

 

[Ashers]

Usually with the AMA you get a free Stedman's dictionary. The only reason I joined the AMA was for that, and AMSA was for the free Netters.

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

It's probably worth the money if you plan on being active in any way in health politics. By joining the AMA/C(alifornia)MA, I've recieved several paid trips to Sacramento to lobby the legislature and attend conferences, and in doing so, have met dozens of doctors in leadership positions in organized medicine and the private and public sectors. Clearly, the $100 or so that it cost me to join for all four years of medical school was definitely worth it, and it may be for you if you utilize the resources available.

 

[Law2Doc]

I keep receiving emails asking if I want to join American Medical Association and Texas Medical Association. Are there any benefits for joining these organizations or are they just resume fillers? I don't want to spend the money for dues if I'm not going to get much out of it.

I don't think anyone puts this kind of stuff on their resume unless they become an officer of the organization. Most med students become nonparticipating members of one or more organizations, so to list such is pretty useless. I agree with Ashers -- most people joins these organizations for the free stuff.

 

[surgdo]

If you join the AMA you will also recieve the JAMA x2 each month. My wife hates it because they just seem to be laying around everywhere.

 

[browniegirl86]

Yeah. Join AMA if you want to get JAMA.

 

[bjackrian]

If you join the AMA you will also recieve the JAMA x2 each month. My wife hates it because they just seem to be laying around everywhere.

Most of the time, it's x4, as my wife is constantly reminding me. They look all pretty when they're lined up on my book shelf.

 

[Winged Scapula]

JAMA clutters up my home too! I've ended up taking most of them to work and handing them out to the students as most of the articles are not of interest to me.

Being an AMA member also gets you discounts on licensing in some states which require you to submit a physician profile - if you join the AMA the profile is free. Obviously not a concern as a student, but something to think about for the future.

They will also send you weekly annoying ads for their insurance plans and other sales pitches.😡