May 2002
Volume 66 |
Number 5
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SUBSPECIALTY NEWS
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| 2002 SEE Program Strives for
Excellence |
Peter L. Bailey, M.D., Editor-in-Chief
Self-Education and Evaluation Program
The ASA Self-Education and Evaluation (SEE) program strives to
bring to busy residents and practitioners a product that combines
new knowledge and findings with current "standards"
of care. The SEE program continues to grow in popularity among
ASA members, not only because it is convenient but also because
it is a great value. Growth in the number of subscribers continues;
more than 7,000 subscriptions are now sold annually. 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 improve the product and
enhance its usefulness to ASA members. The SEE editorial board
always reviews subscriber feedback, and this feedback indicates
that the program is very well received. Requests for more editions
of the same product and for additional subspecialty-related questions
are common. Considerations on how to expand the SEE product continue
to be evaluated.
The addition of two new editorial positions will augment the
expertise of the editorial board. Specialists in transplantation,
cardiac, obstetric and pediatric anesthesia as well as specialists
in pain management and intensive care contribute their expertise
to the SEE program. The CD-ROM version of the program has been
redesigned and significantly improved, and the number of individuals
preferring the CD-ROM version to the paper product continues to
grow. This electronic version includes many of the features currently
contained within the printed program as well as an interactive
format to increase subscribers' interest and enjoyment of the
program.
Another goal of the CD-ROM product is to enhance subscribers'
familiarity and ease with a computer-based technique such as that
currently used by the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) for
the ABA recertification examination. The SEE product also plays
a role in helping ASA obtain certification from the Accreditation
Council for Continuing Medical Education. 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. Copies of these outlines are provided to subscribers
via the ASA Web site.
The SEE program is sold at a discounted rate to residency programs;
it is hoped that introducing residents to a CME process early
in their career will help them to develop a lifelong approach
to medical education.
Each of the program's two volumes is composed of 100 multiple-choice
questions and is mailed in two installments. Questions 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 keep content and focus contemporary and relevant
to clinical practice.
Each 2002 subscriber will receive both SEE volumes with a set
of 100 questions, an answer/critique section, a list of references
from related medical literature and a copy of the ASA 2001
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
that gives an overall score upon completion. For CME credit, subscribers
record answers on the "answer sheet" diskette that accompanies
the CD-ROM, 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 may claim
60 hours of category 1 CME credit and will receive a Certificate
of Participation in the program. ASA designates this CME program
for 60 credit hours in category 1 of the Physician's Recognition
Award of the American Medical Association.
The first installment of the 2002 program, SEE Volume 18A, was
distributed to subscribers in January 2002. The second installment,
SEE Volume 18B, will be mailed to all subscribers in July 2002.
The cost of the 2002 SEE program 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. Directors of residency programs have been sent
information regarding the purchase of 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
>. SEE program-related information can also be obtained on the
ASA Web site.
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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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