The Wisconsin Society of Addiction Medicine | About
The MISSION of WISAM is: To provide a medium for Wisconsin physicians and associated professionals dedicated to increasing access to and improving the quality of addiction treatment; educating physicians, other health care professionals, and the public; supporting research and prevention; and promoting the appropriate role of physicians and associated professionals in the care of patients with addiction.
The PURPOSE of WISAM is to:
- 2.1 enable networking with colleagues in addiction medicine;
- 2.2 provide closer liaison between WISAM members and the national activities of ASAM;
- 2.3 provide closer liaison to other physicians, associated professionals, and professional societies regarding addiction medicine-related issues;
- 2.4 increase public awareness in and about the existence and vitality of the specialty of addiction medicine in Wisconsin;
- 2.5 increase public awareness in and about problems related to the disease of addiction and related health conditions as well as non-addictive forms of unhealthy substance use in Wisconsin;
- 2.6 promote professionalism in the delivery of services to patients with problems, which result from the disease of addiction.
- 2.7 be a professional resource for state and national public policy issues that affect addiction medicine services and patients with the disease of addiction and those who manifest non-addictive forms of unhealthy substance use.
The GOALS of WISAM are to provide:
- 2.8 a forum for sharing of ideas among Wisconsin addiction specialty professionals, especially regarding clinical management strategies and strategies for interfacing with managed care organizations and other purchasers of health care services;
- 2.9 a vehicle for increased professionalism and higher quality information, prevention, training, and treatment regarding the disease of addiction;
- 2.10 an enhancement of knowledge and attitudes among citizens and institutions about the primary nature of the disease of addiction;
- 2.11 a channel for Wisconsin input into national standards of care for the disease of addiction;
- 2.12 a channel for Wisconsin input into health care reform initiatives to improve access to care and enhance the quality and outcomes of care for persons with addiction and related health conditions;
- 2.13 a mechanism to promote the treatment and rehabilitation of health professionals who suffer from the disease of addiction as an alternative, where appropriate, to professional disciplinary actions;
- 2.14 a vehicle to offer practice improvement tools to addiction specialists;
- 2.15 a decrease in isolation experienced by Wisconsin addiction specialty professionals; and
- 2.16 an increase in practice satisfaction and professional fun and enjoyment for Wisconsin addiction specialty professionals.