A total of 168 members provided input to MPS this year via the annual survey.  This is down somewhat from the 186 who responded in 2020 and represents about a quarter of all members.

Continuing Medical Education

• Members noted 72 specific needs related to CME. Psychopharmacology was predominant among the suggestions and MOC-related items like self-assessments were also a recurring theme.  Eighty-seven percent of respondents indicated they would attend a psychopharmacology update.  Next most desired of the topics polled was sleep disorders, followed by opiates update.
• Respondents indicated a significant preference (65%) for virtual CME events, with only 18% preferring in person and 17% unsure. Live virtual meetings were favored by 42%, while an equal proportion responded they are unsure or it doesn’t matter.  Only 16% requested pre-recorded virtual CME.

COVID-19 Impact

• Practice hours during the pandemic have been unaffected for 47% of respondents, while 27% said their hours increased (11% significantly) and 26% said their hours decreased (12% significantly).
• Half of respondents said there has been no COVID impact on their practice income, but 34% said their practice income decreased (14% significantly) and 16% said it increased (3% significantly).
• Fifty-five percent of respondents are seeing patients both by telehealth and in person, while 35% practice telehealth only and 10% treat patients only in person.
• Of private practice respondents, 61% are maintaining an office and renewing a lease, but 22% are unsure and 18% are not.

Legislation and Advocacy

Respondents ranked insurance reimbursement and parity most important of four priorities polled, with telehealth in second place, followed by scope of practice and licensure requirements last.  The rankings were grouped tightly, however, with none of the issues being clearly unimportant.

Early Career Psychiatrists

MPS requested feedback on two possible new offerings specifically for early career members.  A mentorship program for career development was preferred by 20 respondents while 18 liked the idea of a virtual group to discuss difficult cases or practice-related concerns.  Other suggestions were student loan advice, lower dues for MPS, APA and other organizations, and MPS leadership opportunities. 

Satisfaction and Value

• Overall, 85% of respondents are satisfied with the MPS (45% very satisfied), while14% are neutral and 1% are unsatisfied.
• Again this year, respondents valued influencing how psychiatry is practiced in Maryland highest among the member benefits polled, followed by legislative reports and representation with state government. MPS News, having a place to turn with questions and the MPS listserv were also ranked “most important” more often than the other ranking options.  Patient referrals, connecting via MPS social media accounts and the online Find a Psychiatrist were considered “not important” more often than other ranking options.
• Forty-two members said they want to know more about maximizing their member benefits.

Respondent Concerns about Psychiatry in Maryland

Over 100 members posted their concerns in response to the survey, including a wide range of issues.  Some were voiced repeatedly:

• Quality of care provided by mid-level practitioners and scope of practice was noted most frequently
• Access to care, particularly MDs, acute care, and state beds
• Insurance reimbursement
• Increasing administrative & regulatory burdens
• Changing roles of psychiatrists
• Telepsychiatry

How MPS Can Better Serve Members

Seventy-five respondents gave feedback about what they would like to see from the organization in the future.  A third simply said keep up the good work.  Among the other responses, the following were echoed frequently:

• Increased advocacy and work in the legislature were by far the most requested
• Free CME offerings
• More focus on Medicaid and community mental health
• Social events and networking
• MOC and licensure

Respondent Characteristics

• 43% private practice (of which 61% are solo), 23% academic, 11% private/public, 10% public sector
• 13% 1-5 years of practice, 13% 6-10 years, 11% 11-20 years, 59% over 20 and 4% still in training.
• 76% Central Maryland, 10% DC Suburbs, 5% Western Maryland

Click here for more details.