Weekly Member Update - February 8, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jay Pomerance, MD
Chair, Self-Assessment Examination Committee
 
The Self-Assessment Examination Committee held its annual winter meeting in Chicago the weekend of January 18-20.  This was our first opportunity to meet at the new ASSH headquarters in downtown Chicago. For all of the members who have not had the opportunity to visit this facility, it is truly a magnificent upgrade from our prior quarters.  For those who are in the Chicago area or thinking of dropping by, I would encourage you to take a minute and visit.  Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Anderson will be happy to give you a tour.
 
This year’s exam will be the first to offer video content in an attempt to make the exam even more representative of the situations and patients we all have encountered in day-to-day practice.  Through the hard work of some of the most talented members of ASSH and its staff, video clips of clinical scenarios will be presented to test interpretive skills of test takers.  Last year’s electronic exam was well-received and the committee attempted to improve upon its success with new features we trust examinees will find helpful in their learning.  We have attempted to base the content for the exam questions on recent texts and peer-reviewed publications which are commonly used by our society.  We hope this will aid in the learning experience and enable better care of all our patients.  I personally want to thank all of the members of the Committee who have contributed to making this year’s exam the best yet.  We look forward to receiving constructive feedback on our effort.
 
The Committee would also like to give special thanks to Sarah Meyer Hughes, Angie Legaspi and Kim Mackey from ASSH who provided invaluable assistance to the Committee this weekend along with Becca Daly, who ensured that we were afforded a warm welcome while in Chicago.

 

One Question - Recertification

 

This week's One Question was created based on a suggestion by Member David Haueisen, MD:

 

On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being no value and 5 being extremely valuable), how would you rate the value of the recertification process?

 

To submit your answer, visit our survey site.

 

If you have a suggestion for a One Question Survey, we would welcome your input! Just email your idea to info@assh.org.

 

 

 

Are you interested in volunteering with the Hand Society? Serving on an ASSH committee is a great way to make an impact, not only within the organization, but also on the profession of hand and upper extremity surgery.  The deadline to submit your application is March 22, 2013.  Apply here.
 
ASSH has a committee to cater to every interest. Find the volunteer opportunity that is right for you by visiting our volunteer webpage for a complete list of committees, a link to our new Committee Finder, and a link to the most recent ASSH Governance Book to see who is currently serving on our committees.

 

 

 

Are you interested in reviewing before taking this year's Self Assessment Exam? ASSH is now offering a replica of the 2012 Self Assessment Exam as a practice test through the eLearning Portal. This version offers no CME credit, and is available for review purposes only.
 
Log in to the ASSH eLearning portal to enroll in the practice exam, which may be taken as many times as you wish. Included in the enrollment price is the replica exam, a downloadable PDF of the Question Book, and the Answer Book.
 
The 2012 Self Assessment Exam Practice Test is a great way to familiarize yourself with the format of the Self Assessment exam if you have not taken it online before, and to prepare yourself before taking it in 2013.
 
While visiting the ASSH eLearning Portal, check out the wide selection of webinar recordings and CME courses available.

 

 

 

Are you interested in volunteering abroad? Health Volunteers Overseas is offering three opportunities relevant to hand and upper-extremity specialists:

 

China
Volunteers are needed for 3-4 week assignments in Wenzhou. Training is needed in a variety of sub-specialties to residents and physicians at Wenzhou Medical School. Please contact theirprogram department for more information.

AFSH Hand Surgery Fellowship
Applications for the 2013 American Foundation for Surgery of the Hand - Health Volunteers Overseas Young Surgeon Traveling Fellowship are being accepted. This fellowship is available due to a generous grant from the American Foundation for Surgery of the Hand (AFSH). Learn more on the HVO Fellowship webpage. All applications must be received by close of business on April 1, 2013.
 
Orthopaedic Traveling Fellowship
Applications for 2013 HVO Orthopaedics Traveling Fellowships are being accepted. This Fellowship will provide funding for senior orthopaedic residents (4th or 5th year) to volunteer at an active HVO orthopaedic project for a period of at least four weeks. Four fellowships are available in 2013. Visit the HVO Fellowship webpage to learn more. Applications are due April 20, 2013.

 

New Study in JAMA Questions Value of Steroid Injections for Lateral Epicondylitis

 

A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association questions the efficacy of corticosteroid injection and physiotherapy in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis.   Per the study, “Among patients with chronic unilateral lateral epicondylalgia, the use of corticosteroid injection vs placebo injection resulted in worse clinical outcomes after 1 year, and physiotherapy did not result in any significant differences. Read the abstract here.

 

 

 

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the unexpected death of Member James (Jim) H. Roth, MD. Jim leaves a legacy of excellence in clinical care, teaching, research and academic administration having treated thousands of patients as the co-founder and director of the Hand and Upper Limb Centre at St. Joseph's Hospital in London, Ontario. Under Jim's guidance and mentorship, the individual researchers, surgeons and clinical staff at the Hand and Upper Limb Centre were able to flourish and combine clinical care and scientific endeavors to advance the field of upper extremity surgery to the benefit of the people of Southwestern Ontario and beyond. Read his full obituary here.

Thank You to AFSH Donors

 

​James B. Bennett, MD Richard I. Burton, MD John J. Callahan, MD Robert A. Chase, MD A. B. Chhabra, MD John F. Crowe, MD Aaron Daluiski, MD Jan P. DeRoos, MD Frederick F. Fakharzadeh, MD Waldo E. Floyd, III, MD James A. Friederich, MD Richard D. Goldner, MD

Warren C. Hammert, MD Hill Hastings, II, MD Douglas T. Hutchinson, MD W. Thomas Jackson, MD David Marshall Jemison, MD Sharon L. Kalina, MD Lana Kang, MD Stephen H. Lacey, MD Amy L. Ladd, MD Fraser J. Leversedge, MD John G. Lunt, MD Julie A. Melchior, MD​

Richard J. Miller, MD Anne J. Miller, MD Raymond B. Raven, MD Marc J. Richard, MD Melvin P. Rosenwasser, MD David S. Ruch, MD William H. Seitz, Jr., MD Daniel N. Switlick, MD Robert M. Szabo, MD, MPH Andrew J. Weiland, MD Scott W. Wolfe, MD Thomas W. Wright, MD​

 

 

Have you made your annual donation to the Foundation?  Visit www.afsh.org/donate now to support research, education and outreach in the field of Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery.