he 2005 Problem-Based Learning Discussion (PBLD) Program consisted of 149 cases selected from more than 400 submitted during the open-selection process. Each was offered twice at the Annual Meeting in Atlanta, thus allowing attendees more opportunities to be involved in the PBLD program. Nearly every available session was filled. The Committee on PBLD wishes to continue the open-call process, which has led to the vibrant nature and ultimate success of the PBLD program.

Any active member of the ASA is invited to submit a PBLD case to the committee for review and possible selection for the 2006 Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois. Please remember that since last year the instructions for submission have changed. It is requested that the case discussion not be in outline form but be a more scholarly discourse. We are asking for not only a list of references to accompany the discussion but also for a second, focused “short list” of specific references that will help to guide the attendee in his/her preparation for the case discussion. Lastly, we are limiting the number of times that a case can be presented to three consecutive meetings.

The ASA Task Force on Annual Meeting Opportunities will be continuing the critical care medicine, obstetric anesthesia, neuroanesthesia and cardiac anesthesia tracks in 2006. Additionally, regional anesthesia, pain medicine, ambulatory anesthesia and pediatrics will be added. Members of each of the scientific content subcommittees will be included in the review process, along with the members of the PBLD committee in evaluating cases for relevance, content, scholarship, conformity to the guidelines that appear on the ASA Web site and clarity of presentation. Of course, the committee is looking for general cases and ones in any of the non-track specialties. We are continually seeking new and controversial topics and those that contain diagnostic and treatment enigmas and fill areas where content gaps exist in the current program.

All cases must be submitted online in the Annual Meeting section of the ASA Web site at <www2.ASAhq.org>.

Submissions will begin to be accepted on approximately December 15, 2005, and deadline for submission for PBLD cases is midnight CST on February 1, 2006.

Meg A. Rosenblatt, M.D., is Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Director, Division of Orthopedic and Regional Anesthesia, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York.