I take exception to the self-congratulatory perspective taken by Dr Brian Brodie over the results of the membership survey, a second after only 2 years. 

This latest is presented in graphic form by Ipsos Reid as well as Dr Brodie’s commentary [BCMJ 2010;52:120 [9]] in the April issue. Dr Brodie writes, under the title “Numbers speak volumes” (indeed), “I am extremely pleased to say we’re doing pretty darn well.” “The great thing about surveys is they offer meaningful [my emphasis] two-way communication.” 

I venture the results of the survey, which to me speak volumes in another way, are abysmal, and reflect on the truly sad state we are all in. 

A response rate of 14% can hardly be representative, and conclusions from them are statistical garbage, and we know “garb­age in, garbage out.” 

Liberally sprinkled through the results are comments of “significance” with shifts of 5% to 8% (!) over previous survey (of this tiny sample). 

In the section for insurance programs (my own sore point), 31% are reported unhappy that “other plans have better coverage”—a whopping 1:3 (of this small sample) nicely ignored with 22% not responding, likely not bothering to respond in disgust. 

Ominously 21% expect to retire in less than 5 years, and another 29% in 11 to 15 years, and 25% feel members are not involved in decisions! I can go on, but will cease after expressing my frustrations, and encourage other members to peruse the survey analysis with a skeptical eye. 

I feel wasting our funds once again on surveys, hoping to be congratulatory, after only 2 years is out of line as expressed before. —John de Couto, MD Burnaby