CAP TODAY Pathology/Laboratory Medicine/Laboratory Management
We learn from one another through the CAP, and much of what we learn begins with something proposed or launched by members at the grassroots. CAP Surveys, for example, started with a small group of Pennsylvania pathologists who were determined to put an end to inconsistent results from their respective clinical laboratories. Laboratory accreditation had similarly organic beginnings. These are all reasons to strengthen ties to our state pathology societies, and we’re working on that.
Pathologists who are introduced to advocacy at the grassroots and expand their scope as active participants in their local and state pathology societies are some of the most effective advocates for our specialty. We also benefit greatly from the guidance of our lobbyists, whether via “Statline” and other online updates that CAP advocacy provides, or by attending the annual Policy Meeting in Washington, DC (April 29–May 1). Policy Meeting participants grow highly transferable competencies in just a few days; some even discover an unexpected talent for negotiation.
There are fees to attend our biggest event, the annual meeting, but there is no price tag to cover the learning and fellowship that the experience generates. Our members do pay for CAP Surveys and laboratory accreditation, but the cancer protocols and checklists are texts for self-directed learning that justify those costs many times over. Any CAP member can download the CAP test-ordering modules too, and use them to educate colleagues and hospital administrators about the proper use of commonly ordered tests. These assets may seem to come out of the blue, but they do not; our members develop them for the advancement of our specialty.
Pathologists join the CAP, as well as their local and state pathology societies, to take care of business and to take care of one another. So, yes, I encourage my colleagues to be a part of some CAP activities because I think they should want to and because it will make them better all-around medical citizens. As a CAP member you have the opportunity to become a grassroots advocate through PathNET and contribute to PathPAC. If you don’t see the value of supporting both, then you’re just not paying attention.
There is also no minimum contribution to the CAP Foundation, which funded scholarships for 10 medical students to attend the CAP annual meeting this year and funds travel grants for residents to grow their skills in medical informatics and translational diagnostics. The foundation’s flagship program—See, Test & Treat—is one of the best humanitarian projects around. Contributing to the foundation is not an obligation; it’s an opportunity.
So that’s where we are on the member services and support project. This is your College and everything we do is undertaken for our members and in concert with the CAP mission—to foster and advocate for excellence in the practice of pathology and medicine worldwide. I hope you will write to me at the email address below with any feedback you might like to offer. We will continue to invest your dues dollars in products and services that will provide the greatest good for the greatest number. The intangible benefits will continue to be unique. And by the way, March 31 is the annual drop date for those who have not yet renewed their CAP membership. I hope that’s on your calendar.
Dr. Williams welcomes communication from CAP members. Write to him at president@cap.org.