title: A snapshot of pulmonary medicine at the turn of the century: the American Thoracic Society membership.
abstract: To describe the characteristics of the American Thoracic Society, the Membership Committee developed a survey to assess demographics, training, professional activities, and needs of a diverse membership with a growing international segment. It also provided an opportunity to determine how the Society reflects the current state of pulmonary medicine in the United States. A self-administered survey was mailed to active members. Of responding members, 80% reside in the United States or Canada; the remainder come from 90 different countries. The majority of North American respondents (79%) were white, non-Hispanic. Seventeen percent of respondents were female. Female respondents were younger, with a mean age of 42 years, compared with 47 years for males. Sixty-five percent of respondents identified clinical practice, 20% research, and 5% teaching as their major activity. More women (33%) than men (22%) identified themselves as researchers. The majority of respondents (69%) have a medical school faculty affiliation. The American Thoracic Society represents a global organization with diverse clinical expertise and scientific interests. The majority of respondents are clinicians; however, the membership has a strong academic bent with most reporting academic affiliation, and describing teaching as a secondary activity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. lschnapp@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Lynn M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Schnapp
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matosian
authors.forename: Idelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Weisman
authors.forename: Carolyn H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Welsh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002170:Canada; D002568:Certification; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007256:Information Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010819:Physician's Role; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology; D015272:Pulmonary Medicine / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D016526:Workload