Am. J. Hum. Genet. 47:345-348, 1990
American Society of Human Genetics Membership Survey Results, 1989 Kenneth L. Garver and Kathleen M. Lent Department of Medical Genetics, Western Pennsylvania Hospital, and Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh
In March 1989, the Board of Directors of the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) voted to have a second membership survey. The first survey was conducted in 1984 when 1,050 questionnaires of 2,283 distributed were returned, for a 46% response rate. There were 25 questions, ranging from simple demographics to some concerning the society's involvement in various social and legal issues. During the spring of 1989, a more comprehensive questionnaire was constructed with input not only from the board of directors but also from the chairmen of the various committees of the society. The final questionnaire consisted of 55 questions, many of them with multiple parts. In July 1989, 3,366 questionnaires were mailed to the members, and 2,175 subsequently were returned, for a 65% response rate. Results indicate that we still have a young society, with a mean age of 41.4 years, compared with a mean age of 41.7 years in 1984. Question 2 asked for an estimated retirement age. As expected, the great majority (68%) projected a retirement age of 60-69 years. Five percent chose 50-59 years, 23% chose 70-79 years, and 1% chose 80-89 years. Some of our members are either extreme optimists or have found the fountain of youth, in that 2% elected to retire at the age of 90-99 years. As depicted in figure 1, the largest subgroup of the members are Ph.D.'s at 44.5%, followed by M.D.'s at 29.2%. The next category were master's degrees at 19.9%, and M.D./Ph.D. at 7.4%. The category designated "other" was 4.6% and consisted of D.M.D.'s, D.D.S.'s, J.D.'s, D.V.M.'s, etc. A higher percentage of our members now have for-
Figure I Answers to question 4, giving distribution of members' highest degree obtained. * = B.A./B.S.; 4 = M.A./M.S.; i = R.N.; n = Ph.D.; D = M.D.; m = M.D./Ph.D.; 3 = other.
mal training, compared with 1984. This is depicted in figure 2. The members were asked to rank their professional affiliations. Figure 3 shows a pie distribution for these affiliations for Ph.DUs, M.DUs, M.D./Ph.DUs, and master's degrees and for total membership. As expected, when one looks at the total membership, the majority (56%) had primary affiliations at a medical school or center. Fourteen percent were primarily affiliated with a university or college, and 9% were affiliated with a private 60 55 50 45 40 a) 35 30 a_a) 25
20 15 10 5 0
Received April 6, 1990. Address for correspondence and reprints: Kenneth L. Garver, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Medical Genetics, Western Pennsylvania Hospital, 4800 Friendship Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224. © 1990 by The American Society of Human Genetics. All rights reserved.
Figure 2
0002-9297/90/4702-0023$02.00
1984 E and 1989 E.
None
Fellowship
Masters Program
PhD Clinical Program lab program
Other
No Response
Comparison of formal training of the members in
345
346
ASHG Membership Survey Results Total Membership
MDs
MDs/PhDs
PhDs
MSs
Figure 3 Primary professional affiliations of four subgroups of the membership, as well as of the total membership. z = Medical school or center; l = private practice; M = private laboratory; 0 = federal government; * = state government; M = private/community hospital; El = other; * = University or college (nonmedical).
community hospital. The remainder were fairly evenly divided between private practice, private laboratory, federal government, and state government. The members were asked to indicate their area of primary research interest. When the tabulated results, shown in figure 4, are reviewed, it is apparent that in both the total membership and the subgroups there is a marked increased interest in molecular genetics. This is apparent when the percentage of total membership reporting an interest in molecular genetics is compared-18% in 1989 versus 8.8% in 1984. When the primary research area of the membership subgroups was investigated, it was not surprising to find that the Total Membership
MDs
MDs/PhDs
Figure 4
M.D.'s primary interest was in clinical research (32.5%); however, a significant percentage (12.5%) have an interest in molecular research. There is throughout the membership a trend toward interest in molecular research. Ph.D.s and M.D. /Ph.D.s primary research interests are molecular (25.1% and 29.7%, respectively). Members with master's degrees also have an interest in molecular research (7.7%). The primary research interest for members with master's degrees is genetic counseling (39.4%). The members were requested to rank their appropriate designations for research. Figure 5 shows this breakdown.
PhDs
MSs
Primary research areas of four subgroups of the membership, as well as of the total membership. * = Biochemical; E cancer; m = clinical; 0 = clinical cytogenetics; [ = cytogenetics; * = differentiation; * = genetic counseling, l = mapping and linkage; EZ = molecular; * = population genetics; R = prenatal; U = screening, etc; E = other. =
1989 ASHG Membership Survey Results
347 46 44 42 40 38 36 a) 34 01) 32 EL 30 28 26 24 22
More than 10
Figure 5 Membership's designated type of research. * = Fundamental laboratory (34.5%); m = applied laboratory (15.9%); EJ = fundamental clinical (13.1%); F- = applied clinical (27.8%); U = fundamental mathematical (1.1%); [ = applied mathematical (4.7%); 0 = other (2.9%).
The salary of our members has shifted upward during the past 5 years. In 1984,23% were in the $10,000 to $25,000 range, compared with only 9.5% in 1989. In 1984, 12.8% were above $76,000, compared with 31.7% in our recent survey. In 1984,3.6% of our members had salaries above $100,000, but 16.5% exceeded this amount in 1989 (fig. 6). The approximate number of years of membership for 1989, compared with that of 1984, is shown in figure 7. There are more new members in 1989 (35.6%) than there were in 1984 (29.5%). Our total membership for 1989 is 4,060, compared with 2,550 in 1984. The final 35 questions pertained to specific activities of the ASHG, including The American Journal of Human Genetics, electronic bulletin board, Program Committee, nominating committee, Public Policy Committee, Information and Education Committee, and a section for other activities.
45 40 35 30 25
20 15 10 5 0 StO.000-25.000
$26.00-50.000
S51%00-75A0o
S76.000-100.000
Over 0100.000
No Response
Salary
Figure 6 and 1989 *.
Full-time annual salary in U.S. dollars for 1984 1
Figure 7 Appropriate number of years of membership in ASHG, 1984 n and 1989 S.
The Journal did well in that 97.5% of the responses indicated that the quality of the articles was good to excellent. A major concern of the members was that only 32% believed that the balance among disciplines of the articles was fair. Eighty-two percent of the members indicate that they read the Journal on a monthly basis. Eighty-four percent of the members read the articles in the Human Genetics Education section, and, of these, 93% have found them either moderately or very useful. Eighty-two percent felt that the Human Genetics Education section should be continued as part of the Journal. The ASHG board of directors was interested in obtaining input from the members concerning many aspects of the activities of the society. One question that has been raised concerns our degree of activities outside the society itself. This was resoundingly answered by the members when 99% voted that the Public Policy Committee should continue to be active on legislation/regulations affecting funding or conduct or research (e.g., fetal research regulations). The next question asked: "Should the Public Policy Committee continue to be active on legislation/regulations affecting conduct of genetic services (e.g., DNA fingerprinting)?" Again, 99% responded yes. Ninety-eight percent of the members responded yes, that the committee should continue to be active on formulation of public policy on social/ethical issues (e.g., fetal sexing). The members overwhelmingly believe that the ASHG has an important role in interpreting and guiding the use of new knowledge and technologies that are being developed. In summary, although the membership survey required much work by many people, it was very important to obtain not only the current demographic of the members but also their ideas for the past, present, and
ASHG Membership Survey Results
348 future directions of the society. We would like to thank all of those who took their time to respond. Although, because of space constraints, all questions have not been discussed in the present article, the information has been thoroughly reviewed and is considered very valuable.
The complete statistics may be obtained by writing or calling the ASHG office. The authors also thank the administrative office staff of the ASHG, and in particular Gerry Gurvitch, for their competent and enthusiastic
support.
American Society of Human Genetics Membership Survey Results, 1989 Kenneth L. Garver and Kathleen M. Lent Department of Medical Genetics, Western Pennsylvania Hospital, and Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh
In March 1989, the Board of Directors of the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) voted to have a second membership survey. The first survey was conducted in 1984 when 1,050 questionnaires of 2,283 distributed were returned, for a 46% response rate. There were 25 questions, ranging from simple demographics to some concerning the society's involvement in various social and legal issues. During the spring of 1989, a more comprehensive questionnaire was constructed with input not only from the board of directors but also from the chairmen of the various committees of the society. The final questionnaire consisted of 55 questions, many of them with multiple parts. In July 1989, 3,366 questionnaires were mailed to the members, and 2,175 subsequently were returned, for a 65% response rate. Results indicate that we still have a young society, with a mean age of 41.4 years, compared with a mean age of 41.7 years in 1984. Question 2 asked for an estimated retirement age. As expected, the great majority (68%) projected a retirement age of 60-69 years. Five percent chose 50-59 years, 23% chose 70-79 years, and 1% chose 80-89 years. Some of our members are either extreme optimists or have found the fountain of youth, in that 2% elected to retire at the age of 90-99 years. As depicted in figure 1, the largest subgroup of the members are Ph.D.'s at 44.5%, followed by M.D.'s at 29.2%. The next category were master's degrees at 19.9%, and M.D./Ph.D. at 7.4%. The category designated "other" was 4.6% and consisted of D.M.D.'s, D.D.S.'s, J.D.'s, D.V.M.'s, etc. A higher percentage of our members now have for-
Figure I Answers to question 4, giving distribution of members' highest degree obtained. * = B.A./B.S.; 4 = M.A./M.S.; i = R.N.; n = Ph.D.; D = M.D.; m = M.D./Ph.D.; 3 = other.
mal training, compared with 1984. This is depicted in figure 2. The members were asked to rank their professional affiliations. Figure 3 shows a pie distribution for these affiliations for Ph.DUs, M.DUs, M.D./Ph.DUs, and master's degrees and for total membership. As expected, when one looks at the total membership, the majority (56%) had primary affiliations at a medical school or center. Fourteen percent were primarily affiliated with a university or college, and 9% were affiliated with a private 60 55 50 45 40 a) 35 30 a_a) 25
20 15 10 5 0
Received April 6, 1990. Address for correspondence and reprints: Kenneth L. Garver, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Medical Genetics, Western Pennsylvania Hospital, 4800 Friendship Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224. © 1990 by The American Society of Human Genetics. All rights reserved.
Figure 2
0002-9297/90/4702-0023$02.00
1984 E and 1989 E.
None
Fellowship
Masters Program
PhD Clinical Program lab program
Other
No Response
Comparison of formal training of the members in
345
346
ASHG Membership Survey Results Total Membership
MDs
MDs/PhDs
PhDs
MSs
Figure 3 Primary professional affiliations of four subgroups of the membership, as well as of the total membership. z = Medical school or center; l = private practice; M = private laboratory; 0 = federal government; * = state government; M = private/community hospital; El = other; * = University or college (nonmedical).
community hospital. The remainder were fairly evenly divided between private practice, private laboratory, federal government, and state government. The members were asked to indicate their area of primary research interest. When the tabulated results, shown in figure 4, are reviewed, it is apparent that in both the total membership and the subgroups there is a marked increased interest in molecular genetics. This is apparent when the percentage of total membership reporting an interest in molecular genetics is compared-18% in 1989 versus 8.8% in 1984. When the primary research area of the membership subgroups was investigated, it was not surprising to find that the Total Membership
MDs
MDs/PhDs
Figure 4
M.D.'s primary interest was in clinical research (32.5%); however, a significant percentage (12.5%) have an interest in molecular research. There is throughout the membership a trend toward interest in molecular research. Ph.D.s and M.D. /Ph.D.s primary research interests are molecular (25.1% and 29.7%, respectively). Members with master's degrees also have an interest in molecular research (7.7%). The primary research interest for members with master's degrees is genetic counseling (39.4%). The members were requested to rank their appropriate designations for research. Figure 5 shows this breakdown.
PhDs
MSs
Primary research areas of four subgroups of the membership, as well as of the total membership. * = Biochemical; E cancer; m = clinical; 0 = clinical cytogenetics; [ = cytogenetics; * = differentiation; * = genetic counseling, l = mapping and linkage; EZ = molecular; * = population genetics; R = prenatal; U = screening, etc; E = other. =
1989 ASHG Membership Survey Results
347 46 44 42 40 38 36 a) 34 01) 32 EL 30 28 26 24 22
More than 10
Figure 5 Membership's designated type of research. * = Fundamental laboratory (34.5%); m = applied laboratory (15.9%); EJ = fundamental clinical (13.1%); F- = applied clinical (27.8%); U = fundamental mathematical (1.1%); [ = applied mathematical (4.7%); 0 = other (2.9%).
The salary of our members has shifted upward during the past 5 years. In 1984,23% were in the $10,000 to $25,000 range, compared with only 9.5% in 1989. In 1984, 12.8% were above $76,000, compared with 31.7% in our recent survey. In 1984,3.6% of our members had salaries above $100,000, but 16.5% exceeded this amount in 1989 (fig. 6). The approximate number of years of membership for 1989, compared with that of 1984, is shown in figure 7. There are more new members in 1989 (35.6%) than there were in 1984 (29.5%). Our total membership for 1989 is 4,060, compared with 2,550 in 1984. The final 35 questions pertained to specific activities of the ASHG, including The American Journal of Human Genetics, electronic bulletin board, Program Committee, nominating committee, Public Policy Committee, Information and Education Committee, and a section for other activities.
45 40 35 30 25
20 15 10 5 0 StO.000-25.000
$26.00-50.000
S51%00-75A0o
S76.000-100.000
Over 0100.000
No Response
Salary
Figure 6 and 1989 *.
Full-time annual salary in U.S. dollars for 1984 1
Figure 7 Appropriate number of years of membership in ASHG, 1984 n and 1989 S.
The Journal did well in that 97.5% of the responses indicated that the quality of the articles was good to excellent. A major concern of the members was that only 32% believed that the balance among disciplines of the articles was fair. Eighty-two percent of the members indicate that they read the Journal on a monthly basis. Eighty-four percent of the members read the articles in the Human Genetics Education section, and, of these, 93% have found them either moderately or very useful. Eighty-two percent felt that the Human Genetics Education section should be continued as part of the Journal. The ASHG board of directors was interested in obtaining input from the members concerning many aspects of the activities of the society. One question that has been raised concerns our degree of activities outside the society itself. This was resoundingly answered by the members when 99% voted that the Public Policy Committee should continue to be active on legislation/regulations affecting funding or conduct or research (e.g., fetal research regulations). The next question asked: "Should the Public Policy Committee continue to be active on legislation/regulations affecting conduct of genetic services (e.g., DNA fingerprinting)?" Again, 99% responded yes. Ninety-eight percent of the members responded yes, that the committee should continue to be active on formulation of public policy on social/ethical issues (e.g., fetal sexing). The members overwhelmingly believe that the ASHG has an important role in interpreting and guiding the use of new knowledge and technologies that are being developed. In summary, although the membership survey required much work by many people, it was very important to obtain not only the current demographic of the members but also their ideas for the past, present, and
ASHG Membership Survey Results
348 future directions of the society. We would like to thank all of those who took their time to respond. Although, because of space constraints, all questions have not been discussed in the present article, the information has been thoroughly reviewed and is considered very valuable.
The complete statistics may be obtained by writing or calling the ASHG office. The authors also thank the administrative office staff of the ASHG, and in particular Gerry Gurvitch, for their competent and enthusiastic
support.
