Membership issues within the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine: results of a survey.

A questionnaire survey of the membership of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine ( ACRM ) was conducted in early 1983. Results relating to membership issues indicate that the organization should not return to physician-only membership. The issue of opening membership to baccalaureate-level rehabilitation professionals polarized the membership. The dimension of polarization is not between physicians/non-physicians. The membership is uncertain whether the current size of the organization is too small. The data suggest that appeals for new members should be primarily based on aspects of professionalism. Secondary reasons for joining differ for subgroups of members. The recommendation of a current ACRM member may be a decisive influence in a potential new member's decision to join. It is suggested that a major discriminating factor among members relates to belief in interdisciplinary rehabilitation as the ultimate concern of the ACRM .