ASSH Weekly Member Upd@te
________________________________December 12, 2008
One Question
• A one-question survey designed to help us all better understand the contexts in which our members live and work
ASSH News
• Call for Basic Science and Clinical Research Grant Applications
• Insure the Future of Upper Extremity Surgery - Support the AFSH!
• Call for Applications for Clinical Trials and Outcomes Planning Grant
• ASSH to Sponsor Two Members to Attend U.S. Bone and Joint Decade Grant Workshop
• ASSH/ASHT Combined Meeting Call For Abstracts
• ASSH/BSSH Combined Meeting Call For Abstracts
ASSH Courses and Meetings
• 2009 Self-Assessment Examination
Medical News
• Understanding Medicare’s Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program
• Congressional Leaders Work with Incoming Administration to Repair the SGR Formula
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One Question
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To what extent has the recent economic downturn affected your practice? In what ways has the economy affected your practice or institution? Answer this week’s one question.
Last week, we asked if you see Medicaid patients, and if not – why? View responses from last week's one question.
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ASSH News
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Call for Basic Science and Clinical Research Grant Applications
Applications due April 1, 2009
The American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) and the American Foundation for Surgery of the Hand (AFSH) have established grant funding to encourage young investigators to perform clinical and basic science research studies. It is anticipated that the funding will enable investigators to initiate pilot projects that will lead to subsequent funding from other sources such as the NIH.
Applications are now being accepted for basic science and clinical research grants. The selection of the research proposals for funding is made by the Research Management Committee with the approval of the Council of the ASSH and the AFSH Board. Selection is based on the merits of the proposal with preference given to new projects for which the grant could serve as seed money for larger grants from the NIH, OREF or PSEF. In order to be eligible for the grant, at least one of the investigators must be a member of the ASSH.
For more information on the application requirements, please visit the ASSH website.
_______________________________________________________ Insure the Future of Upper Extremity Surgery - Support the AFSH!
The 2008 AFSH Annual Member to Member campaign is underway!
Donations made to the Foundation through the 2007 Member to Member campaign funded:
- The basic science research projects of Kevin Hildebrand, MD, FRCSC, Jonathan Isaacs, MD, Howard Levinson, MD, Zhongyu Li, MD, Amy Moore, MD and Alexander Shin, MD.
- The clinical research projects of Donald Bae, MD, Ruby Grewal, MD and Jennifer Moriatis Wolf, MD.
- Ranjan Gupta, MD’s time spent in Europe and Asia as the Sterling Bunnell Traveling Fellow.
- Young Surgeon Overseas Sohail Husain, MD’s month long stay in Nicaragua volunteering his services in the most remote regions.
- The travel of International Scholar Mohamed Shafi, MD (India) enabling him to spend time with hand surgeons in the United States observing their techniques including Jesse Jupiter, MD at Massachusetts General Hospital, Scott Wolfe, MD at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, and Alex Shin, MD, at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.
Ultimately, we all gain from the programs supported by the AFSH. As such, it is important for all of us to support the Foundation, to give something back in return.
If you have already contributed this year, thank you very much for your generosity.
The easiest way to lend your support to the AFSH is to make a donation to the Annual Member to Member Campaign. Any and all donations help and are appreciated.
Ways to donate:
- Online – Donate to AFSH now
- Check made payable to AFSH
Department 2026
P.O. Box 87916
Carol Stream, IL 60188
- Through OREF (minimum gift $1000, the first $500 going to OREF)
- Annuity
- Life Insurance Policy
- Charitable Trust
If you have any questions or need any more information, contact AFSH Member to Member Campaign Chair, Fred Fakharzadeh, MD at fredfak@aol.com or Julie Quinn at jquinn@assh.org (include AFSH in the subject line).
_______________________________________________________ Call for Applications for Clinical Trials and Outcomes Planning Grant
The Hand Society is now accepting applications for the Clinical Trials and Outcomes Planning Grant, which is intended to support a new researcher from the ASSH membership to write an NIH R0-1 application for a multi-center clinical trial. The main stipulation of this award is that once the grant is funded, the Principal Investigator will work with the ASSH and the Clinical Trials and Outcomes Committee to engage interested members from the ASSH to participate in the study.
Applicants should have a successful track record for clinical research and the potential to be competitive at the NIH level. Applicants need to complete the AFSH grant application form, which can be found on the ASSH website. The research study should address one of the following topics: Arthritis & Joint Problems, Distal Radius Fractures, Tendon Injuries, Carpal Pathology, and Peripheral Nerve Problems.
The successful proposal will receive $20,000 initially for the principal investigator to draft an NIH grant over a 12-month period. This funding may cover research time, statistical support, and administrative costs. Applications are due by April 1, 2009 and can be submitted electronically in Word format to Sarah Meyer Hughes at smeyerhughes@assh.org. For more information, please visit the ASSH website.
_______________________________________________________ ASSH to Sponsor Two Members to Attend U.S. Bone and Joint Decade Grant Workshop
Applications are due January 15, 2009
The Hand Society will sponsor two ASSH members to attend the 2009 USBJD Young Investigators Initiative and Workshop Program to provide early-career clinical investigators an opportunity to work with experienced researchers in our field and to assist them in securing funding and other survival skills required for pursuing an academic career. This workshop series is open to promising junior faculty, senior fellows or post-doctoral researchers who wish to secure funding for hypothesis driven research. It is also open to senior fellows that are doing research and have a faculty appointment in place or confirmed.
Any ASSH active or candidate member may apply. Applications should be sent directly to the USBJD, and applicants should clearly state on their paperwork that they are an ASSH member. If selected, the Hand Society will reimburse for travel and the registration fee. For more information please visit the U.S. Bone and Joint Decade Website.
_______________________________________________________ 2009 Call For Abstracts
September 3-5, 2009 * San Francisco, California
2009 Combined Annual Meeting of the ASSH and ASHT
Bridges: Connecting the Past and the Future
The abstract submission site is now open to submit your proposals for the 2009 Combined Annual Meeting of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) and the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT). Interested in learning more? Download the official 2009 Call For Abstracts or visit the Hand Society’s Call For Abstracts online information page for important details then submit your proposal today!
2009 Online Abstract Submission Forms:
• Instructional Course Lecture – Deadline passed
• Symposia abstracts – Deadline passed
• Paper Presentation (Podium) abstracts due February 9, 2009
• Resident & Fellow Paper/Poster abstracts due February 9, 2009
• Scientific Poster abstracts due March 2, 2009
• International Scientific Poster abstracts due March 2, 2009
• Video Theater abstracts due by April 6, 2009
Already submitted an abstract but need to make a change? Visit the Abstract Service Center to edit your submission. Revisions can be made through the deadline listed above.
Questions about the abstract submission process? Contact Diana Shkap at dshkap@assh.org.
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2009 Call For Abstracts
April 30-May 2, 2009 * Westminster, London
2009 Combined Meeting of the ASSH and BSSH
The abstract submission deadline for the combined meeting of the ASSH and BSSH is January 1, 2009. The event will be held at the Church House Conference Centre in Westminster, London. To go to the abstract submission site, click here.
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ASSH Courses & Meetings
_______________________________________________________ 2009 Self-Assessment Examination
Registration Deadline: April 3, 2009
Online Registration Now Open!
SAE Educational Objectives
• Detect and differentiate injury mechanisms, pathologies and applied anatomy associated with upper extremity conditions treated by hand surgeons
• Differentiate and apply the range of conservative and surgical treatment options to deal with upper extremity problems that present to a hand surgeon’s practice
• Develop informed evidenced-based guided clinical decision practice options in the treatment of upper extremity disorders
• Evaluate by self assessment basic cognitive, reasoning skills, and clinical aptitudes required of all hand surgeons in practice to complete maintenance of certification
This examination is offered as a convenient self-education exercise by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and is geared towards hand and upper extremity health care professionals. Designed to assist the physician in reviewing basic principles of hand care, the exam also helps to keep the physician abreast of new developments and concepts within the specialty. The examination covers diagnostic and therapeutic problems, both surgical and non-operative, basic science knowledge, and fundamental principles of hand surgery. The interpretation of the illustrative material (clinical photographs and radiographs) is an integral part of this examination. The 2009 examination consists of the Question Book (Book 1) containing 150 questions, an answer sheet, evaluation, and the Discussion Book (Book 2) with preferred responses, discussion and literature references.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Registration Deadline – April 3, 2009
Deadline to return answer sheet – Postmarked by June 12, 2009
Discussion book mailed - July 31, 2009
ACCREDITATION
The American Society for Surgery of the Hand is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education to physicians.
CME CREDIT HOURS
The ASSH designates this educational activity for a maximum of 20.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
NOTE: Only those who return a completed answer sheet for computer scoring by June 12, 2009 will be eligible for CME.
Learn more about the Self-Assessment Exam by downloading the program brochure or visit the exam webpage to register online!
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Medical News
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For more on ASSH advocacy news and efforts, visit the health policy page of our website.
_____________________________________________________ Understanding Medicare’s Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program
Many physicians are preparing for a transition from paper and faxed prescriptions to a computer-based electronic generation, transmission and filling of a prescription as the implementation of the Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program approaches.
The program is scheduled to begin in January, so to help ease the transition, the AMA created a "frequently asked questions" flier (PDF), "Understanding the basics of Medicare's electronic prescribing incentive program." The guide covers the basic fundamentals of the program.
You can download several other resources to aid in the transition, including 2008 Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates presentations entitled "AMA electronic prescribing incentive program" (PDF) and "SureScripts-RxHub
electronic prescribing overview ," (PDF) as well as a spreadsheet of Medicare-allowed frequency and charges by specialty and provider (PDF) to help further determine the program's potential reimbursements.
_____________________________________________________ Congressional Leaders Work with Incoming Administration to Repair the SGR Formula
CongressDaily reports that leaders and staffers from the U.S. Congress have been meeting with members of President-elect Barack Obama's healthcare team to discuss the possibility of cutting $100 billion from the cost of permanently fixing Medicare physician payments. Under the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula, physicians face an annual Medicare payment reduction, but Congress typically passes a measure to avoid the cut.
The plan under discussion would remove the cost of physician-administered drugs from the SGR calculation—reducing the estimated $300 billion cost of permanently forgoing physician cuts by an estimated one-third. According to sources familiar with the issue, the best way to remove the drugs from the formula would be by either executive order or a CMS rule.
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