Medical Societies in the United States: History, Purpose, Challenge, and Future Directions

Medical specialty and subspecialty societies were established to represent the interests of their profession, with both scientific and political objectives. Medical societies have long served as central institutions within the U.S. medical profession, developing standards of practice, supporting education, and advancing research. Many also take their potential role in advancing access and shaping public opinion of the profession seriously. In this manuscript, we discuss the history of these societies in the United States, their evolution, and the opportunities that exist to make medical societies more relevant to the needs of current physicians.