September 3rd, 2010
A Message from the ASSH President
One Question
Did You Know?
Call for Abstracts
ASSH Application for Practice Division Director - Now Available
Welcome to the NEW ASSH Journal Club!
Register now for Communication Skills for Patient-Centered Care
Thank You to AFSH Donors
Addressing the Nation's Fiscal Challenges - From AMA
A Message from the ASSH President
ASSH volunteers are always hard at work, and as a result, several technology tools and initiatives for members are being launched this fall. The first is the new online Image Library, a web-based, members-only benefit that provides an easy method for uploading and sharing surgical case images. You can use this tool to improve your personal education image library and to share your original files with colleagues. It has incredible potential as a teaching resource. Learn more about the image library, championed by Dr. Michael Hausman, and take a sneak peak at this new tool by visiting our website.
Additionally, the Social Media Task Force, chaired by Scott Lifchez, MD, has designed several "mini-lessons" to help you improve your online presence. The lessons are quick and effective. They'll be available, along with step-by-step guidance from task force members, at the Educational Resource Center (formerly the ASSH bookstore) at the Annual Meeting in Boston. Even small steps can improve your practice's online credibility, so don't forget to take advantage of this benefit in October.
Also, keep an eye out later this fall for more information on a web-based Consultation Corner.
Bob Szabo
One Question
Last week, we asked you about your medical and nonmedical book purchases. View the results of the poll. This week, we want to know how often you use a medical library. Answer this week's One Question.
Did You Know?
The ASSH Physician Listserv sends out 80 Gigabytes of data in a typical month? Because of the large amount of data being transmitted, we are taking measures to require reasonable file sizes for attachments, commensurate with journal and publication submissions. Listserv members will receive more information next Tuesday, September 6. In the meantime, if you are not a member of the listserv and want to join, visit the ASSH website or email membership@assh.org.
Call for Abstracts
5th Combined Meeting of the JSSH and ASSH
March 26-29, 2010
Grand Wailea, Maui, Hawaii
Abstract submission for paper and poster presentations for the 5th Combined Meeting of the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand and the American Society for Surgery of the Hand is now open. Submit an abstract.
The deadline for abstract submission is October 12, 2010.
ASSH Application for Practice Division Director - Now Available
Deadline for applications is September 30, 2010.
Applications for ASSH Practice Director are now available. The successful candidate will be expected to direct and coordinate the functions of all committees in the Practice Division which includes committees like Coding and Physician Reimbursement, Public Awareness, Patient Education and Government Affairs. He or she will also be an active member of Council, attending four face-to-face meetings per year and participating in conference calls and other methods of Council communication throughout the year. You can visit the website for full details on the qualifications and expectations of the position.
To apply, you will need to complete an online application and submit your CV, two letters of recommendation and your conflict of interest form to Alex Wallace (awallace@assh.org) at the Central Office. Details and links to the application and conflict of interest form are posted to the Hand Society website.
Welcome to the NEW ASSH Journal Club!
The value of a Journal Club is not only the article reviews, but the interactive discussion between readers of hot button issues and attention-grabbing articles. With this in mind, we are proud to launch the new Journal Club and introduce the "Featured Article" chosen by supervising editor, Mark Cohen, MD, and an instructive critique of the data provided by members of the Evidence Based Practice Committee. The critique is your launch pad into discourse about the Featured Article.
Read the September Issue's "Featured Article": Zone-II Flexor Tendon Repair: A Randomized Prospective Trial of Active Place-and-Hold Therapy Compared with Passive Motion Therapy. Take a moment to check out the inaugural discussion, written by Chair of the Evidence Based Practice Committee, David Ring, MD PhD. You are encouraged to post reactions, comments and questions about this article to the new Online Journal Club Discussion Board.
Register now for Communication Skills for Patient-Centered Care
Effective communication is essential for successful patient-centered care. Register now for Communication Skills for Patient-Centered Care workshop, for no additional fee and take hold of the Annual Meeting theme – Embracing Excellence. This preconference workshop presents a model of complete clinical care that consists of two roles for the clinician: the biomedical and the human communication roles.
Join John D. Lubahn, MD and Edward C. Tanner, MD as they review case studies, lead discussion and put to practice key elements to providing excellent patient care.
Communication Skills for Patient-Centered Care Workshop
Wednesday, October 5 – 12:00 – 5:00 PM
4.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
FREE, lunch is included
Thank You to AFSH Donors
The American Foundation for Surgery of the Hand wishes to thank the following donors for their recent contributions:
Teddy L. Atik, MD
Heidi Bloom, MD
Martin I. Boyer, MD, FRCS(C)
Erin E. Brown, MD
Michelle Gerwin Carlson, MD
Robert H. Clayburgh, MD
Richard D. Curtis, MD
Thomas R. Dennis, MD
Jung Mi Lee Haisman, MD
Michael R. Hausman, MD
David Helfet, MD
Michelle A. James, MD
Carleton A. Keck, Jr. MD
Samuel C. Kline, MD
Lewis B. Lane, MD
Robert D. Mastey, MD
Milan M. Patel, MD
Joshua Richards, MD, MPH
Jane M. Siegel, MD
Michael I. Vender, MD
Learn more about the AFSH.
Addressing the Nation's Fiscal Challenges - From AMA
During the debate over health system reform, many policymakers expressed concern that the pending legislation did too little to rein in health care spending, especially in government programs. In response to those concerns, President Barack Obama issued an executive order on February 18, 2010, establishing the bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform to address the nation's fiscal challenges.
The National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility
The commission is charged with identifying policies to improve the nation's fiscal situation in the medium term and to achieve fiscal sustainability over the long run. Specifically, the commission is tasked with proposing recommendations designed to balance the budget, excluding interest payments on the debt, by 2015. The commission is currently working to develop policy to address the long-term fiscal picture by finding ways to raise revenue and stabilize the growth of entitlement programs, such as Medicare and Social Security.
The commission meets as a whole once a month while Congress is in session, and will vote on a final report containing a set of recommendations to achieve its mission no later than December 1, 2010. The group is widely expected to propose a combination of tax increases and spending cuts. The final report requires the approval of at least 14 of the commission's 18 members.
Assuming the final report garners the necessary votes, the Democratic congressional leaders have pledged to bring the commission's recommendations up for a vote during a lame duck session in December.