Beyond APTA Involvement: Is there worth in membership to groups outside our clique?

I recently got home from a whirl wind trip to the Gerontological Society of America's (GSA) 2016 Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. While I was only present in the city for a measly 36 hours due to the constrictions of having starting a new job (PTO what???), it was still an unprecedented, highly inspiration 36 hours which has led to the culmination of several new blog post ideas as well as many new networking relationships and activities to keep me busy throughout at least the first half of 2017. Each conference has a theme, and this year the theme was "New Lens on Aging." The thought behind this theme, which was carefully and most appropriately selected by our outgoing chair, Nancy Morrow-Howell, was to take a new look at how we view the science behind aging. However, I feel that this theme had a subtext to it that wasn't expected by myself, or perhaps any of the conference goers.

I feel that as healthcare, academic, and research professionals, we all wear our unique set of lenses when it comes to how we view aging. My physical therapy-shaded glasses will be different than the filter provided in the lens of that of an MD, public health official, or even that of the patient/client we are all simultaneously assisting. In order to be successful in our endeavors to aid and assist those who are aging, each lens is a small part of the greater image that is aging, and without the entire team, we fail in even the best intentions for this diverse population.

I have been a member of GSA for 3 years now. I initially joined as a way to gain access to their extensive database of interdisciplinary research as I was embarking on my primary thesis at the time for my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. What I discovered in this organization was beyond just a data blitz. It was also mentor-ship, friendship, and collaboration with individuals from around the world which has shaped me into the young researcher and clinician that I am today in the field of human aging. Surprisingly though, most of these individuals who has inspired me within the realm of GSA were not physical therapists. I have found that through my involvement with other groups, I have connected to people who are also involved in APTA who I might not have met otherwise through the APTA alone.

Interdisciplinary collaboration: this recent buzz word is a new trend in medicine and medical management of our patients. The paradigm has shifted to include opinions from all sorts of professionals within the health care system including even spiritual care staff. Within GSA world, this interdisciplinary conversation takes place among clinicians and academics, grad students and field experts, social workers and doctors, and on and on and on. These relationships foster the growth for improving translation of knowledge from the lab to the patient experience.

As for the main stem of my thesis in this post, the answer is "it depends" on whether or not membership in groups outside of the APTA is worthwhile. I feel that it depends on the group. Someone else who isn't as driven by this pedagogy might not find the same value.

Nevertheless, I implore you to look into at least one professional association outside of the APTA in order to broaden your scope of practice and gain new insight into the world you love (be it geriatrics, neuro, sports, ortho. or whatever else). You might even have some fun and meet some neat people along the way.