The role of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine in health care reform: a membership survey.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

We conducted a survey of STFM members to: 1) measure perceived knowledge of and support for four health care reform proposals, 2) rate the members' priorities about specific legislative activities relevant to STFM, health care reform, and STFM general activities, and 3) assess interest in STFM developing a monograph on health care reform.

METHODS

A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to a 15% random sample (n = 470) of STFM members. Researchers were blinded to the identity of respondents.

RESULTS

Three hundred seven members returned completed surveys (response rate = 65%). Members were largely divided in their support between the pay or play and the single payer plans, with 39% (95% confidence interval (CI) 33%-44%) preferring the former and 34% (95% CI = 31%-37%) preferring the latter. Employer mandate and tax credit plans were rated less favorably. Overall, members rated their perceived knowledge about these plans as fair to good. In terms of rating their priorities about STFM activities, members gave the highest ratings to STFM legislative activities specific to the needs of academic family medicine (eg, faculty development, reimbursement for clinical and teaching activities, and research). These specific legislative activities were rated higher than all of the general categories of STFM activities.

CONCLUSION

STFM members want STFM to advocate for specific legislation pertinent to the development of academic family medicine. Although most members support comprehensive health care reform, no single plan is preferred by a majority of members.