Past President's Message
The Value of SPS Membership
By J. Michael (Mick) Connors, MD
Immediate Past President
What can you do with $100? You can perhaps purchase a very nice dinner with your significant other. You can play about four holes of golf at Pebble Beach (green fees for 18 is currently $495). You can likely take your family out for pizza and a movie, although I spend more with my family of six. Professional sports game, concert, etc. are all well out of reach of your $100 budget.
However, the highest membership dues one pays for the Society for Pediatric Sedation is $100. As Past President of the society, I think one really gains a true appreciation for the value of the annual investment. From my perspective, this is what you gain as a member of the SPS now and in the future.
Education
A huge part of the mission and the accomplishments of the society come in the form of education: the annual conference and the development and growth of the SPS Sedation Provider Course®. In the near future, we will have complimentary on-line CME for our members. Also, one cannot underestimate the value of the SPS pediatric sedation listserv for dialogue and communication to further the field of pediatric sedation.
Research
The Pediatric Sedation Research Consortium, now part of the SPS, continues to evolve as the preeminent database for pediatric sedation. The PSRC now provides quality reports to over 30 hospitals and has produced a plethora of publications. These publications have had great impact on the emerging field of pediatric sedation and the discussions of safety, credentialing, and training.
Policy
The SPS has been influential in discussions with CMS related to their policies, the FDA as it investigates the best methods for the evaluation of sedation products, and has received AHRQ funding to hold a Consensus Meeting to define Quality and Pediatric Sedation. The SPS Board of Directors has also posted a consensus statement on the core competencies for providers of pediatric sedation. This document is an amazing accomplishment for the SPS. The document, passed unanimously by the board, highlights the incredible multidisciplinary collaboration the SPS has achieved.
Personal Development
Speaking from my own experience, the offerings of the SPS are important, but not near the value of the amazing people and programs involved in the delivery of pediatric sedation. The amount of material and information shared is priceless and has been invaluable to my practice.
I would like to thank everyone who is a member and encourage those who are not to join the SPS. It will be the best money you have ever spent.
