Large-scale changes always emerge from collective constructions and the suitable structuring of information reflected by such constructions. During the last few years our organisation has thus focused its efforts on rescuing itself from financial disorder which not only compromised our future but also the responsibility which other societies and joint-partners had entrusted us with. We then had to work on our knowledge management structure, contributing towards our associates’ professional development. Finally, it was necessary to reflect, invoke and contrast imaginary, supposed and desired professional aspects regarding past and forthcoming generations. We thus wanted to close the scientific, professional and business triangle.

For many interested parties, the importance assigned to professional aspects had been underrated; nevertheless, the organisation could not improvise and produce long-term strategies resulting from heated conflicts and last-minute pressures regarding such a fundamental aspect for our collective development.

We therefore dedicated ourselves to the task of listening to our partners by decentralising the boards of governors in different Colombian cities. This exercise will lead to a qualitative and weighted analysis of the professional aspects which are being structured through qualitative research. On the other hand, we are carrying out a study called, “Unfulfilled expectations and needs amongst leaders of the profession,” using focus-group methodology. Such input will thus be used for defining a strategic plan regarding professional matters which we will ask anaesthesiologists to consider and which we will commit ourselves to developing in their entirety. We are also planning to design a professional observatory during 2010 which will be finished in December of the next year.

I would like to state that our plan’s philosophy must be in accord with that meant by professional (gremial in Spanish, arising from the term guild as used in medieval Europe to cover all the people and activities involved in carrying out a particular profession, even though today, in Spanish, gremio only covers the people managing a particular profession). For some authors the word guild comes from the Latin gremium, meaning lap. This leads to the following expressions: “fortunae in gremio sedens” (seated in fortune’s lap), “in gremio matris” (in your mother’s lap or your mother’s arms), “in gremio patriae” (in the bosom of the fatherland) and “gremium flúminis” (the river bed). Gremium may thus be interpreted and translated as bosom/heart, arms, protection, due vigilance, care , etc...

We are aware of that our proposal must coherently formulate strategies promoting financial wellbeing and, above all, the unification of the profession in pro of achieving better financial, work, ethical and humans conditions for our associates. Our plan must therefore promote the integral development of anaesthesiologists’ many dimensions. We thus hope to make members aware of our plan during the next assembly and receive the necessary feed-back.

Finally, I would like to wish you a happy Christmas, a prosperous new year during 2010 and that the end of this year finds you at peace with yourselves and in harmony with all your loved ones.

Yazmín Higgins Turbay, MD
Presidenta Sociedad Colombiana
de Anestesiología y Reanimación