ASA November 2002 Newsletter

The ASA Self-Education and Evaluation (SEE) program continues to enjoy great popularity among ASA members; more than 7,000 subscriptions were sold in 2002. The success of the SEE program, which hopefully reflects the quality of this continuing medical education (CME) product, also contributes to the financial health of ASA.

The SEE Editorial Board continues to strive to improve the product and enhance its usefulness to ASA members. For example, much effort is being made to improve the CD-ROM version, which includes the same questions contained within the written program as well as an interactive format to enhance the learning experience.

One goal of the CD-ROM product is to increase subscribers’ familiarity with a computer-based technique such as that currently used by the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) for the ABA Recertification Examination. Current questions are indexed according to the ABA-ASA Joint Council on In-Training Examinations Content Outline as well as the ABA Recertification Content Outline so that review can be facilitated for specific topic areas. Electronic copies of these outlines are provided.

The SEE Editorial Board always reviews subscriber feedback. Because the SEE program is also popular with anesthesiologists in training, feedback from residency program directors has also been solicited. It is hoped that a CME educational process begun during residency training will continue as a lifelong learning activity for many ASA members. Subscriber feedback indicates that the program is very well-received. Common requests are for more editions of the same product and for additional subspecialty-related questions. Considerations on how to expand the SEE product are being examined.

Each of the SEE program’s two volumes is composed of 100 multiple-choice questions and is mailed in two installments. Questions for the SEE program are based on articles appearing in anesthesiology journals, other selected peer-reviewed medical publications and the ASA Annual Meeting Refresher Course Lectures book. The group of anesthesiologists who contribute questions to the editorial board of the SEE program continues to be augmented. The efforts of these individuals are indispensable, and their expertise helps to identify the best literature and keeps SEE content and focus contemporary and relevant to clinical practice.

Each 2003 subscriber will receive both SEE volumes that will include an answer/critique section, a list of references from related medical literature and a copy of the ASA 2002 Annual Meeting Refresher Course Lectures book. The CD-ROM version offers subscribers immediate feedback with each answer, or it can be completed choosing the “rapid-fire” method, which gives an overall score upon completion. For CME credit, subscribers record their answers on the “answer sheet” diskette that accompanies the CD-ROM. They then return the diskette to ASA and keep the CD for future reference. The CD-ROM version requires no complicated installation and will run on Windows® or Macintosh® platforms.

The names of the SEE program participants and their scores remain anonymous. Participants who submit both answer sheets receive 60 hours of category 1 CME credit and will receive a Certificate of Participation in the program. ASA designates this continuing medical education program for 60 credit hours (30 hours for each volume) in category 1 of the Physician’s Recognition Award of the American Medical Association.

The first installment of the 2003 program, SEE Volume 19A, will be available and distributed to subscribers in January 2003. The second installment, SEE Volume 19B, will be mailed to all subscribers in July 2003.

The cost of the 2003 SEE program (both volumes) is $200 for ASA members and $350 for nonmembers for either the booklet version or CD-ROM. Individual residents who supply a letter from their program director confirming their residency status may purchase the examination for $75. Group enrollment is available to residency programs for $35 per resident. Residency program directors have been sent information regarding purchase of the program.

A limited quantity of a sampler CD-ROM containing 10 questions from previous versions is available to ASA members. This is a great opportunity to try the SEE product before purchasing the program.

For more information or for an order form, contact the ASA Publications Department at (847) 825-5586 or by e-mail at <publications@ASAhq.org>.

Peter L. Bailey, M.D., is Professor of Anesthesiology and Director of Cardiac Anesthesia, University of Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, New York.

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