The AAP's politics

[Perrotfish]

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Who decides the political positions of the AAP? I just got my first issue of the AAP newsletter, and I gotta say: wow. An article reaffirming their support of human embryonic stem cell research? 'The only safe gun is the one that you don't own'? From an organization that exists mainly to publish PREP questions, I was expecting something a tad more apolitical. I suppose there is a basis in research for the gun recommendations, but embryonic stem cell reasearch? Really?

Is there someone I can write? If nothing else I don't like the fact that my residency is indirectly supporing lobbying for stem cell research by virtue of working with Pediatrics. Do we as members get a vote in what they say?

 

[oldbearprofessor]

Sure, if this is important to you, get involved in the AAP resident section and have your voice heard. AAP policies are governed in several ways, including an executive board and sections and state groups, all with a leadership heirarchy. There is also an annual meeting called the AAP Leadership Forum (ALF) in which petitions related to AAP policy are brought to these various leaders and a vote is held on them. These petitions include the types of issues you mentioned and many others.

 

[Siverhideo1985]

Who decides the political positions of the AAP? I just got my first issue of the AAP newsletter, and I gotta say: wow. An article reaffirming their support of human embryonic stem cell research? 'The only safe gun is the one that you don't own'? From an organization that exists mainly to publish PREP questions, I was expecting something a tad more apolitical. I suppose there is a basis in research for the gun recommendations, but embryonic stem cell reasearch? Really?

Is there someone I can write? If nothing else I don't like the fact that my residency is indirectly supporing lobbying for stem cell research by virtue of working with Pediatrics. Do we as members get a vote in what they say?

Would you be less concerned if their statements aligned more with your personal opinions/morals?

 

[Perrotfish]

Would you be less concerned if their statements aligned more with your personal opinions/morals?

Well, yes. I still would probably think its wierd that they weren't more apolitical, but if they chose to be political in a pro-life anti-stem cell kind of way I would probably shrug my shoulders and go about my business, since I would be fine with someone who had those opinions representing me.

 

[michigangirl]

Who decides the political positions of the AAP? I just got my first issue of the AAP newsletter, and I gotta say: wow. An article reaffirming their support of human embryonic stem cell research? 'The only safe gun is the one that you don't own'? From an organization that exists mainly to publish PREP questions, I was expecting something a tad more apolitical. I suppose there is a basis in research for the gun recommendations, but embryonic stem cell reasearch? Really?

Is there someone I can write? If nothing else I don't like the fact that my residency is indirectly supporing lobbying for stem cell research by virtue of working with Pediatrics. Do we as members get a vote in what they say?

I would disagree vehemently that the AAP is an organization that exists mainly "to publish PREP questions"-- just like every other specialty (IM, OB, etc.), Pediatrics has an organization that lobbies for issues that they feel are important, in addition to being responsible for making a stand on key educational issues that affect the public health of children. The public looks to the AAP for the standard-- sleeping on backs, not using trampolines, breastfeeding, etc. etc. etc.-- PREP questions are just an added service. So yes, if you want their political views to change, you need to get involved. But the AAP is not apolitical by any means. As it shouldn't be.

 

[Slade]

Well, yes. I still would probably think its wierd that they weren't more apolitical, but if they chose to be political in a pro-life anti-stem cell kind of way I would probably shrug my shoulders and go about my business, since I would be fine with someone who had those opinions representing me.

Are you serious?! You complain about the AAP being political, but if they're political and supporting your personal views, then it's all good? How hypocritical...

 

[Perrotfish]

Are you serious?! You complain about the AAP being political, but if they're political and supporting your personal views, then it's all good? How hypocritical...

I'm complaining about the fact that my trade organization is using my membership fees to undermine my deeply held beliefs rather than just representing my profession. If they used my money to support my beliefs it would be someone else's job to be offended. How is that hypocritical?

 

[oldbearprofessor]

I'm complaining about the fact that my trade organization is using my membership fees to undermine my deeply held beliefs rather than just representing my profession. If they used my money to support my beliefs it would be someone else's job to be offended. How is that hypocritical?

Does your residency mandate that you pay the $100 resident membership fee out of your salary?

Just to clarify, your "trade organization" is a voluntary membership organization for which the advocacy of pediatric issues is one of their core purposes and clearly noted as such on its website and elsewhere. It operates using democratic processes to determine positions on key issues that are easily reviewed on their website. If the outcome of these votes are inconsistent with your beliefs, you have two choices. 1) act within the organization to change them or 2) don't join.

 

[Slade]

I'm complaining about the fact that my trade organization is using my membership fees to undermine my deeply held beliefs rather than just representing my profession. If they used my money to support my beliefs it would be someone else's job to be offended. How is that hypocritical?

It's the very definition of hypocrisy: You complain that it's a political organization, but if the political positions they support were in line with your own personal beliefs, then you would find no problem with it being a political organization.

 

[Perrotfish]

Does your residency mandate that you pay the $100 resident membership fee out of your salary?

They pay it automatically out of our limited CME budget. To me that's similar to just making me pay.

Just to clarify, your "trade organization" is a voluntary membership organization for which the advocacy of pediatric issues is one of their core purposes and clearly noted as such on its website and elsewhere. It operates using democratic processes to determine positions on key issues that are easily reviewed on their website. If the outcome of these votes are inconsistent with your beliefs, you have two choices. 1) act within the organization to change them or 2) don't join.

I know they are theoreticaly democratic, but they certainly don't make it easy to take part in the organization. Only on representative per residency (who we don't vote on), no real student representation, and they don't actually solicit membership opinions on the issues the represent, let alone let the members vote on what they are going to advocate

Also while the advocacy of pediatric issues may be one of their core purposes, I don't think its the one that they use to solicit membership. The AAP colaborates closely with the ABP to set our licensing standards and our standard of care, has set itself up as basically the sole source of test prep for our licensing exam. I feel like they make it very difficult NOT to join them and legally remain a Pediatrician, which makes walking away slightly less easy than it is to walk away from, say, the AMA.

 

[Perrotfish]

It's the very definition of hypocrisy: You complain that it's a political organization, but if the political positions they support were in line with your own personal beliefs, then you would find no problem with it being a political organization.

This is what honesty gets you. Listen: I would prefer it be apolitical whatever its politics are. But there are a lot of things in life I would prefer. Someone asked if I would actually be annoyed enough to write a letter or get involved if their politics were the same as mine, for example if they started lobbying to cut federal funding to Planned Parenthood. The answer was, honestly, no. Its not that I wouldn't still think it was stupid for them to lobby on behalf of such broad, controversial politics rather than the narrow range of topics which their members are in consensus on. Its just that, in that case, the AAP's politics would go in that giant mental pile of things that vaguely annoy me but which I don't care enough to do anything about. It would earn a place right next to Justin Bieber fansites, the Redskin's coaching staff, and the Navy's new bright blue camoflauge. On the other hand their support for human stem cell research pushes them, in my mind, into letter writing territory. Or at least internet complaining territory. Triage isn't hypocricsy.

 

[oldbearprofessor]

I feel like they make it very difficult NOT to join them and legally remain a Pediatrician, which makes walking away slightly less easy than it is to walk away from, say, the AMA.

Okay, you are certainly entitled to your views of the AAP. I suggest you ask your PD to not use your CME to support an organization you don't like.

The above statement may be your view as a resident, but it is not accurate for attendings. Although I don't know exact numbers, the AAP has about 60,000 members which includes a few pedi surgeons. There are well over 80,000 pediatricians in the US. Although some individual practices might prefer attendings who are AAP members (I've not heard of this, but it's possible), there is no legal obligation to join the AAP. The AAP might like it if there were...😛

I know many pediatricians who are not AAP members and it has no effect on their practice. But of course, as a non-member, you can't vote for representatives and have your voice heard within the AAP, can you?

 

[Siverhideo1985]

http://www2.aap.org/visit/contact.htm

write away!

 

[BigRedBeta]

From an organization that exists mainly to publish PREP questions

Wow...just wow. Pretty sure the AAP existed well before it started publishing PREP Questions.

As for the political leanings, on the whole, I feel the organization does a very good job of choosing viewpoints that align with it's stated goal of being "dedicated to the health of all children" and using available evidence to support those positions. If you use that as your benchmark, I think you'd be hard pressed to find a policy statement that doesn't err on the side of keeping kids healthy and safe. Your own political leanings may have other priorities that supersede your identity as a pediatrician, which is your right.