4 ways to improve committee engagement of younger ACR members

Members of the American College of Radiology’s (ACR’s) Young and Early Career Physician Section (YPS)—which includes ACR members under the age of 40 or still within the first eight years of practice—were recently asked to complete a survey about their current level of engagement in ACR committees.

Ninety-eight YPS members completed the survey, and Andrew B. Rosenkrantz, MD, MPA, NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, wrote in the Journal of the American College of Radiology that current ACR leadership can learn four valuable lessons from the members’ responses.

“The honest replies by YPS members regarding their engagement on national committees provides helpful direction to improve committee functioning,” Rosenkrantz wrote.

These are four lessons Rosenkrantz took away from the survey data:

1. Welcome new committee members and help them get settled.

Rosenkrantz suggested that committee leadership supply new members with “welcome packets” and help them grow more comfortable with their new role. Help with getting to know the other committee members is also recommended.

“Ensure that members are introduced to one another, and consider partnering new members with existing more senior members who may serve as mentors on the committee,” he wrote. “Follow up with new members early in their tenure on the committee to see how they are doing and address any remaining questions or concerns.”

2. Assign all committee members a specific responsibility.

When ACR members join a committee, being given their own role right out of the gate helps build their confidence. It also shows them that remaining devoted to the committee is important.

“No matter the members’ seniority, backgrounds, or levels of experience, try to find an achievable, yet challenging, task for each member of which that member can feel proud,” Rosenkrantz wrote. “Allow members to share their results with the committee at large, and recognize and credit individuals for their excellent contributions.”

3. Communicate more with committee members and make it easier for members to stay connected.

There can never be too much communication, Rosenkrantz said. Update committee members frequently and follow up when they have any sort of comments or questions. He added that, if a member can’t miss a meeting for a legitimate reason, there should be a way for them to still feel involved. You don’t want committee members to feel as if they are being penalized if their reason for missing the meeting is beyond their control.

4. Committee chairs must be available and approachable.

Chairs can’t appear to be unapproachable or intimidating. Members should feel as if they can speak with the committee chair about anything and everything. Rosenkrantz also said chairs should try to reach out to individual members from time to time instead of only speaking to members in a group setting.

“Consider occasionally checking in with committee members individually to see how they are doing and whether they have specific concerns they are not comfortable expressing to the committee at large,” he wrote.