Development of the Austrian Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine: results of a member survey

Abstract

Background: Due to legal changes in 2015, the medical specialist society ÖGKJP is in a dynamic development process. In recent years, the Executive Board has gone through an organisational development process and developed new structures and strategies. The aim of this study was to ask about the importance of the various offers and objectives and the satisfaction with the events and measures via a member survey. Respondents were also invited to identify future topics and to evaluate their importance. Methods: 249 members could be reached by email and had been provided with a self-developed questionnaire to be answered by an online-application (Lime-Survey). The questionnaire consisted of twelve closed questions for five topics (see result section). The question could be answered by a Likert-like-scale (1 very content to 5 not at all content). Statistical analysis was performed by descriptive tests. Results: 101 members (nearly 35%) have replied to the questionnaire. 65% of the responders were regular members, 15% were regular members in training and 8% were extraordinary members. 12% do not give any information about their membership status With regard to the topic research and science, importance was rated on average between 1.53 and 2.55 and satisfaction with the implementation between 1.50 and 2.16. With regard to the topic events and cooperation partnerships, the importance was rated between 1.63 and 2.10, the satisfaction with the implementation between 1.55 and 2.22. The representation of the organisation in the public was considered to be highly important (1.23), the satisfaction of the members is 2.24 points. The innovations in the service of the company were assessed in terms of their importance as follows: homepage 1.82, learning platform Moodle 2.28 and the new secretariat with 1.83. The satisfaction of the members with these innovations is given the grades 2.22, 2.50 and 1.84. Discussion: Participation was good, members rated satisfaction on a good, but improvable level. Importance of selected topics was confirmed and two future topics were pointed out especially, events and cooperation partnerships as well as the representation of the ÖGKJP at the political level.