New - ASSH Online Journal Club Reviews are Now Available
2011 Call for Abstracts
Thank You to AFSH Donors
Health Volunteers Overseas
Medicare Sets Physician Payment Rates in 2011 - From AMA
Physician Shortages Loom - From AAOS
New - ASSH Online Journal Club Reviews are Now Available
The value of a Journal Club comes not only from the article reviews, but from the discussion and interaction among the readers as well. With this in mind, we are proud to launch the second edition of our new Journal Club format. Here we introduce a "Featured Article," an instructive critique of the data provided by members of the Evidence Based Practice Committee. This month's "Featured Article" was chosen by Evidence Based Practice Committee chair David Ring, MD, PhD. Dr. Ring offers a provocative discussion of the Featured Article. Read Dr. Ring's discussion and the latest reviews.
Members are encouraged to post reactions, comments and questions to the new Online Journal Club Discussion Board.
2011 Call for Abstracts
Submit an abstract for Paper Presentations, Residents and Fellows Conference Paper/Posters, E-posters, International Guest Hand Society Posters and Video Theater for the 66th Annual Meeting in Las Vegas! Review the Abstract Policy and Procedures for upcoming deadlines.
Deadlines are approaching quickly, so submit your abstract now!
Thank You to AFSH Donors
Many ASSH members support the AFSH throughout the year through donations made with meeting registrations, pledge commitments, or in response to a colleague’s encouragement. With your partnership, the AFSH can make a difference in research, education and most importantly, to patient care.
Thank you to these donors who made a contribution to the Foundation in the past week. To learn more about the Foundation or to make a contribution today, visit www.afsh.org.
Mark E. Baratz, MD
David L. Cannon, MD
Jon J. Cherney, MD
Louis P. Clark, Jr., MD
Michael R. Coe, MD
Robert J. Cole, MD
Bronier L. Costas, MD
Philip A. Deffer, Jr., MD
Daneca M. DiPaolo, MD
Robert H. Hartwig, MD
Bernard F. Hearon, MD
Charles D. Jennings, MD
Abram E. Kirschenbaum, MD
L. Scott Levin, MD, FACS
Roy A. Meals, MD
Pyong S. Park, MD
Steven L. Peterson, MD
Anthony D. Schilling, MD
Sandford Shadrow
Michael S. Shuler, MD
David A. Toivonen, MD
Marc W. Urquhart, MD
Brian Peter Wicks, MD
Raymond A. Wittstadt, MD
Health Volunteers Overseas
Orthopaedics
Volunteers needed in Wenzhou, China for 3-4 week assignments this spring and summer. Volunteers provide subspecialty training including but not limited to trauma, spine, foot and ankle, upper extremity, and pediatrics. Contact the HVO program department for more information.
Edward Blair Memorial Fellowship
Two fellowships in Malawi are available for applicants who are currently orthopaedic residents or have recently completed their orthopaedic residency training. Applications will be accepted Jan 1 - Feb 15. Information is available on the HVO website.
Medicare Sets Physician Payment Rates in 2011 - From AMA
Following passage of the Medicare and Medicaid Extenders Act of 2010—which President Obama signed on December 15—the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) adjusted its calculations of the 2011 Medicare payment rates that had been published in the final rule.
Last week, CMS issued a final 2011 conversion factor of $33.9764 and provided new files to the Medicare carriers. The carriers have been testing the new files and are in the process of posting them to their websites. All 2011 claims are expected to be paid on time and at the correct rates with no adjustments or claims holds necessary.
View the new payment schedule file. To learn more, view instructions CMS sent to its carriers.
Physician Shortages Loom - From AAOS
According to survey data released by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), without an increase in the number of graduate medical education students, the United States will experience a shortfall of more than 90,000 physicians by 2020, including 46,000 surgeons and specialists. The strain on the medical community will be exacerbated by an aging population and increased demand by those newly insured under healthcare reform legislation. Because educating and training physicians takes up to a decade, the AAMC says graduate medical education (residency training) must be expanded immediately. The authors of the report argue that eliminating the current freeze in Medicare’s support for residency training positions is key to addressing the projected shortfall. Read more.