My commendation to those of you who attended the most recent IPS meeting last fall in Orlando. These were the days after September 11, and many of us chose not to attend any meetings. Attendance of that meeting was low, and it reflected a trend of less than desired attendance that has occurred over several meetings. During our AACP Board meeting and our AACP membership forum, concerns regarding the IPS were discussed. The leadership of the APA heard our concerns, and asked that representatives of the AACP meet with them, which we did in January, in Washington. It was a spirited discussion, with some positive outcomes; I’d like to share some with you.

It was opined that the IPS was seen as having lost its identity as a meeting which encouraged multi-disciplinary (including consumers) focus, and that attendance might also be limited because of overly expensive venues, inflexible formats, and its "competitive" timing with other meetings that IPS constituencies might attend (APHA, AACAP). It was suggested that the needs of potential audiences (e.g. state hospital psychiatrists) were not being met. Some internal machinations of committee appointments and longevity of chairs were discussed, and several strategies suggested to reinvigorate the meeting. These included:

1. careful attention to making the meeting affordable to those who work in the public sector;

2. increased involvement of consumers and family members;

3. formal inclusion of other disciplines and psychiatric professional groups;

4. partnerships with local DBs;

5. increasing formats that facilitate participation, and "life-long learning" (one of the new catchwords promulgated by credentialing bodies).

The AACP Board stance is that the Fall IPS meeting is "our" meeting. Many of our AACP members present, many of us attend. The themes and actual presentations typically resonate strongly with our membership. We don’t want it to disappear, figuratively or literally. We want to support its re-emergence as a meeting that will meet the educational, networking, and advocacy needs of our consistencies. As such, we are encouraging the AACP membership to volunteer to present at the meetings. We are encouraging every member to attend the IPS (it’s in Chicago this fall, and the program looks great!). The APA has asked that we allow the AACP name to be used on its advertising brochures indicating we are collaborating with the APA in support of the meeting. In addition, by 2003 a formal joint IPS planning committee with APA and AACP appointments will be formed, ensuring a focus on and representation of public and community psychiatry ideas and values. I am a great believer in what goes around, comes around. If we hold a strong vision of our field of psychiatry, and support the IPS meeting, I believe we will be able to shape this meeting so that once again is able to meet its grand potential.

See you this fall in Chicago.

Jacqueline Feldman, MD

President, American Association of Community Psychiatrists

jfeldman@uabmc.edu