ASSH Weekly Member Upd@te
________________________________January 9, 2009
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 Committee Applicants – 2009-2010 Applications Now Available
· Andrew J. Weiland Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Hand Surgery Research
· Call for Applications for Clinical Trials and Outcomes Planning Grant
· Participants Needed for ASSH Multicenter Trials
· Apply for U.S. Bone and Joint Decade Grant Workshop – Application Due Jan 15
· ASSH/ASHT Combined Meeting Call For Abstracts
· Public Awareness Committee Launches New Video for 2009 Campaign: watch the video
ASSH Courses and Meetings
· 2009 Advanced Techniques in Reconstructive Elbow Surgery
· 2009 Self-Assessment Examination – Registration Now Open
Medical News
· AMA Holds Open Special Enrollment Call - CMS Provider Satisfaction Survey Now Available
· Professional Liability Insurance Market – New Research from the AMA
· Health Spending Continues to Outpace Economic Growth
____________________________________________________________
One Question
____________________________________________________________
Last week we ran a One Question regarding the AAOS Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) guidelines. Because this is such a relevant topic for our specialty, we are leaving the survey open for another week so everyone has the chance to weigh-in on this important issue.
The Hand Society’s Council will consider endorsing the AAOS Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) guidelines in spring of 2009. The guidelines can be accessed at www.aaos.org/Research/guidelines/guide.asp. The Evidence Based Practice Committee voted to endorse these guidelines but that endorsement must be approved by the Hand Society’s Council to become our official policy and position. The guidelines, which were developed by the AAOS, are not editable by ASSH, so we must accept the guidelines as is or not at all.
Please share your thoughts with the Hand Society leadership to help determine whether or not we should support the guidelines by taking this week’s One Question.
Robert Szabo, MD
President-elect, ASSH
To review the responses we have collected to-date, click here.
____________________________________________________________
ASSH News
____________________________________________________________
Call for Committee Applicants – 2009-2010 Applications Now Available
Participation in American Society for Surgery of the Hand committees is one of the best ways to share your voice with the Hand Society and to contribute to our specialty. If you are a motivated, dedicated, and enthusiastic member, consider sharing your talents by applying to be a committee member.
To read more about each committee and it’s charges, visit the ASSH website. Once you know which committee you are interested in joining, take a few moments to fill out the online application.
The deadline for applications is Friday, February 13. Questions can be directed to Tara Havenga at the Central Office (thavenga@assh.org).
____________________________________________________________
Andrew J. Weiland Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Hand Surgery Research
Application deadline: April 1, 2009
The ASSH is pleased to honor the work of renowned hand surgeon and researcher, Dr. Andrew J. Weiland, with the creation of the Weiland Medal. The Society announced the creation of the award at the ASSH Annual Meeting. It will be awarded annually to a mid-career researcher dedicated to advancing patient care in the field of hand surgery.
The award is an unrestricted award of $20,000 and will honor a hand surgeon-scientist who has contributed a body of research that advances the field. The medal will recognize and support outstanding research in hand surgery in order to continue Dr. Weiland’s vision for the field of hand surgery. It will be awarded to a surgeon in mid-career who is less than 55 years old or is less than 15 years from hand fellowship training. The medal will be presented at the ASSH Annual Meeting each year, and the winner will present a keynote address summarizing the research work.
Nominations and/or applications are now being accepted. Applicants must submit a curriculum vitae and a review manuscript describing the body of research, in the JHS format, that may eventually be published if selected. Applications are due April 1, 2009 and can be submitted electronically to Sarah Meyer Hughes at smeyerhughes@assh.org.
____________________________________________________________
Call for Applications for Clinical Trials and Outcomes Planning Grant
The Hand Society is now accepting applications for the Clinical Trials and Outcomes (CTOC) 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 CTOC 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.
____________________________________________________________
Participants Needed for ASSH Multicenter Trials
ASSH recently created the Surgery of the Hand Outcomes Workgroup (SHOW). This group seeks the participation of any interested ASSH members. The objective is to develop multicenter trials to answer a spectrum of clinical research questions. Members who are interested in contributing to this group should send their curriculum vitae and a one page letter describing their pertinent interests and background in clinical research to Sarah Meyer Hughes (smeyerhughes@assh.org).
Questions regarding the expected time commitment, scope of activity, and responsibilities as a group member should be directed to SHOW’s chair, Brent Graham, MD (Brent.Graham@uhn.on.ca).
____________________________________________________________
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
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.
____________________________________________________________
Public Awareness Committee Launches New Video for 2009 Campaign: watch the video
The Public Awareness committee is launching the creation of a viral video campaign designed to heighten awareness of hand surgery and key hand issues. The first video was launched in 2008 at the completion of the Hamm campaign and chronicles the gold-medalist's recovery from a metacarpal fracture. The newest video in the collection tells the story of Misha Dichter, famous concert pianist who suffered from Dupuytren’s Disease. A special thanks to Amy Ladd, MD, who coordinated the entire production as well as Scott Wolfe, Dichter's surgeon for his participation in the project.
To view the story, please click here.
____________________________________________________________
ASSH Courses & Meetings
____________________________________________________________
2009 Advanced Techniques in Reconstructive Elbow Surgery
Registration Deadline: May 22, 2009
Online Registration Now Open!
Program Chairs:
David C. Ring, MD
Scott P. Steinmann, MD
This course will provide a state of the art update on open and arthroscopic techniques of elbow surgery. A renowned faculty of leading elbow surgeons will present lectures, panel discussions and hands-on training in the cadaver laboratory. Specific techniques covered in detail will be elbow arthroscopy, elbow instability, all elbow fractures, and arthroplasty. Course attendees will have the opportunity to perform all surgical procedures in the laboratory and are encouraged to bring problem cases for discussion with the faculty.
Course Objectives:
· Become familiar with advanced techniques of elbow surgery
· Learn arthroscopic techniques for the elbow
· Become familiar with all surgical approaches to the elbow for the most common procedures
· Recognize pitfalls of surgical techniques and how to avoid complications
· Understand the biomechanics of the elbow and learn how to perform surgical reconstruction for instability
· Learn state-of-the-art techniques for treatment of fractures of the distal humerus, radial head, coronoid and olecranon
· Become familiar with elbow arthroplasty techniques and how to avoid complications
CME Credit Hours
The ASSH designates this educational activity for a maximum of 16.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Accreditation
The ASSH is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Learn more by downloading the course brochure or visit www.assh.org to register online.
__________________________________________________________
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!
____________________________________________________________
Medical News
____________________________________________________________
For more on ASSH advocacy news and efforts, visit the health policy page of our website.
____________________________________________________________
AMA Holds Open Special Enrollment Call - CMS Provider Satisfaction Survey Now Available
Medicare is making significant changes to the enrollment process. The changes, initially scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2009, have been postponed until this spring as a result of the current backlogs and other problems plaguing the process. We wanted to be sure you were aware of the Special Open Door Call CMS which has been scheduled for January 13, 2009 from 3:30-5 ET.
Details for the Special Enrollment call are as follows:
Number: 800-837-1935
Reference Conference ID: 70012839
(No RSVP is required for phone participation)
Also, CMS' annual Provider Satisfaction Survey is underway. The survey randomly selects various Medicare providers, including physicians, and asks about their experience with 7 key areas: 1) Provider Inquiries; 2) Provider Outreach and Education; 3) Claims Processing; 4) Appeals; 5) Provider Enrollment; 6) Medical Review; and 7) Provider Audit and Reimbursement.
Due to the significant issues physicians are experiencing with Medicare enrollment as well as transition from the carriers to the new MACs, physicians are strongly encouraged to complete the survey if requested. More information on the survey can be obtained in a PDF format or on the CMS website.
For questions on enrollment or the survey please contact Mari Savickis at the AMA (mari.savickis@ama-assn.org).
____________________________________________________________
Professional Liability Insurance Market – New Research from the AMA (From AMA)
The AMA recently released two new policy research perspectives (PRP) about the professional liability insurance (PLI) market.
The first PRP examines changes in PLI premiums during the past few years and presents them for select geographic areas. The PRP finds that premium increases have become less common and that increases in premiums have become smaller. In recent years, premiums in a growing number of markets either fell or did not change, with about half remaining the same in 2008. However, the increases that occurred during the recent liability crisis were large enough that the small recent decreases have not been enough to offset them. Therefore, although the PLI market appears to be softening in recent years, premiums remain at historic highs in many states.
Visit http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/x-ama/upload/mm/363/mlm2008-summaryjguardado.pdf to view this paper.
The second PRP examines changes in indemnity and expense payments, the manner in which claims close (settled/tried and paid/unpaid) and claim policy limits. The PRP finds that average indemnity and expense payments increased from 1998 to 2007 at a rate faster than inflation. Although most claims resulted in no indemnity payment in 2007, 9 percent of paid claims involved payments of $1 million or more. The vast majority of trial verdicts were won by the defendant, while very few claims resulted in a plaintiff verdict. Finally, claims with a policy limit greater than $1 million have become more common over time.
Visit http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/x-ama/upload/mm/363/prp2008-2indemexppymts98-07.pdf to view this paper.
____________________________________________________________
Health Spending Continues to Outpace Economic Growth (From AAOS)
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a report that health spending in the US grew 6.1 percent in 2007, to $2.2 trillion or $7,421 per person—the slowest growth rate since 1998 and 0.6 of a percentage point lower than the 2006 growth rate of 6.7 percent. The slower growth rate has been attributed largely to slowdowns in both retail prescription drug spending and Medicare spending associated with administering Medicare benefits. Spending on health care continues to outpace overall economic growth, which grew by 4.8 percent in 2007. The health spending share of the U.S. gross domestic product reached 16.2 percent in 2007, up 0.2 percent from 2006.
Read more...
____________________________________________________________
ASSH Weekly Member Update is a member service. The ASSH home page is at www.assh.org.