A total of 148 members gave input to the MPS via the annual survey that helps guide how committees, Council and staff work over the next year.  About the same as in 2022 when 152 responded, the results represent 19% of the membership.

Continuing Medical Education

Members shared over 100 CME needs, with psychopharmacology-related topics by far the most frequent at about 25%.  The other CME topics were wide-ranging, with a few listed 5 or more times, for example, addictions, opioid prescribing (related to the new DEA training requirement), ADHD, and child and adolescent psychiatry.  Eighty-two percent of respondents indicated they would attend a psychopharmacology update.  The next most desired topic was management of psychiatric disorders in pregnant patients, followed by borderline personality disorders.

Preferred CME format was polled, with the following results:

• 22 percent indicated they would be most likely to attend in person CME programs,
• 70 percent said they would be most likely to attend virtual CME programs, and
• 15 percent were unsure.

Legislation and Advocacy

The 2023 survey polled six priorities for legislation and advocacy.  Four were ranked higher than the rest, with Scope of Practice ranked the same as Access to Equitable, Quality Care, however scope was chosen most frequently as the top priority.  These were followed by Reimbursement/Parity and Licensure Requirements/Mandatory Training. Addressing Social Determinants of Health was ranked next and Outpatient Commitment/Involuntary Treatment was lowest.  While the surveys are not directly comparable, respondents this year put a higher priority on Scope of Practice compared with the past two years.

Telehealth Check In

After the pandemic restrictions were lifted, MPS asked how patients are being seen.

• Telehealth only and In Person only were each reported by 15 percent of respondents, and 70 percent of respondents indicated both.
• Of those who see patients via telehealth, 88 percent use both audio and visual and 12 percent use audio only.
• Over 50 percent were either concerned or very concerned about possibly needing an in-person visit to prescribe controlled substances via telehealth.
• Regarding the possibility that future audio-only telehealth reimbursement could be lower than for audio-visual or in person visits, 36 percent indicated it would not limit patient access at all, while 34 percent said it would minimally impact access and 30 percent reported it would have a significant impact.

Police Executing Emergency Petitions

Most respondents did not report seeing an increase in problems with police executing emergency petitions (EPs).  After excluding those who do not execute EPs, 62 percent had not experienced more problems while 38 percent had.

MPS Psychedelics Interest Group

The majority of respondents were not interested in participating in a new MPS Interest Group focusing on psychedelics; however, 24 percent indicated Yes and another 18 percent were Unsure.

Collaborative Care Model (CoCM)

Find a Psychiatrist includes CoCM among members’ areas of interest and MPS has established a CoCM Interest Group.  This year’s survey asked whether respondents have interest in being a paid CoCM psychiatrist consultant to a PCP and their care manager for at least one hour per week.  Thirty-seven percent (51 members) replied yes.

Suggestions for Increasing and Retaining Members

MPS received ideas from 105 members about how to increase and retain members that ranged from decreasing dues, to more active engagement like social events and networking opportunities, to focusing on residents and younger members, to more and free CME programs and continued advocacy.  These are a sampling from the list in the complete survey results.

Additional Efforts to Improve Diversity

As part of the MPS initiatives to address structural racism and inclusion, the survey asked members for their ideas about other ways the organization can improve diversity.  Many respondents suggested more diversity in leadership and direct personal outreach.  Engaging trainees and mentorship were other ideas.  These are just a few from the list in the complete survey results.

Article Suggestions for The Maryland Psychiatrist

Respondents gave excellent recommendations for The Maryland Psychiatrist articles.  Topics were wide-ranging, with some focused on practice-related issues, such as case studies and clinical services at Maryland institutions.  Others suggested exploring controversial issues, personal stories, and profiling member psychiatrists, etc.  Please see the survey results for a complete list.  [Members interested in submitting articles to be published can email mps@mdpsych.org.]

Satisfaction and Value

Overall, 87% of respondents are satisfied with the MPS (37% very satisfied), while 9% are neutral and 4% are unsatisfied.  The rates of satisfaction are almost the same as 2022, however 4 members were unsatisfied vs. 1 last year.

Respondents indicated the member benefits that are most important.  Again this year, Influencing how psychiatry is practiced in Maryland received the highest total, followed by MPS News and legislative reports and representation with state government, which had about the same votes.  The Listserv and CME activities came next with similar totals, and the annual membership directory and APA membership followed.  Benefits that received a moderate response were Having a place to turn with questions, The Maryland Psychiatrist, MPS committees and interest groups, and Networking events.  Consistent with results in recent years, Curbside conversations, Online Find a Psychiatrist, Patient referrals, and Connecting via MPS social media accounts were least important to respondents.

Concerns about Psychiatry in Maryland

Respondents expressed nearly a hundred wide-ranging concerns, with some of them shared repeatedly, including the following which were also prominent last year:

• Quality of care provided by mid-level practitioners and scope of practice
• Equitable and accessible care, particularly access to MDs, inpatient care, and state beds
• Parity and reimbursement
• Prior authorization and other administrative and regulatory burdens

Also of note, a few shared a sense of isolation and feeling undervalued.

How MPS Can Better Serve Members

Seventy-seven respondents gave feedback about what they want the MPS to do in the future.  Over a third essentially said keep up the good work.  Other very frequent responses included:

• Advocacy and work with state government
• Building community via social events in different locations
• CME programming
• Increasing participation and diversity

Please see the survey results for a complete list.

Respondent Characteristics

• 42% private practice (vs 38% last year), of which 59% are solo, 23% academic (vs 29%), 12% private/public (vs 13%) and 14% public sector (vs 13%). Almost 4% were retired compared with 1% last year.
• 9% 1-5 years of practice, 10% 6-10 years, 16% 11-20 years, 61% over 20 and 5% still in training. These demographics indicate less participation of younger members compared to 2022.
• 75% Central Maryland, 6% DC Suburbs, 5% Western Maryland, 2% Eastern Shore, and of the rest many also indicated they are in central MD.

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