ive hundred twenty-five anesthesiologists and practice administrators attended the 14th annual Conference on Practice Management in Phoenix, Arizona, on January 26-28. They rated the conference the best so far. Planning this conference is a major activity of the ASA Committee on Practice Management [Figure 1].

Figure 1: 2007 Committee on Practice Management. (First row, left to right) Kathleen S. Donahue, D.O., Linda B. Hertzberg, M.D., Genie G. Blough, M.B.A., Robert E. Johnstone, M.D., Karin Bierstein, J.D., Asa C. Lockhart, M.D., David A. Cross, M.D., Steve J. Sween, M.D. (Second row) Paul Rein, D.O., Michael W. Champeau, M.D., Howard M. Schapiro, M.D., James S. Hicks, M.D., Craig M. Johnson, M.D., Jack S. Folbe, M.D., Barbara M. DeRiso, M.D., David C. Mackey, M.D., Thomas E. McDonnell, M.D., Susan G. Dobbs Curling, M.D., Karl E. Becker, M.D., Mahesh P. Sardesai, M.D., Gifford V. Eckhout, M.D., Eric W. Mason, M.D. Missing from photo: Amr E. Abouleish, M.D., and Frank A. Rosinia, M.D. Photo by Robert E. Johnstone, M.D.

The 2007 conference retained the successful format and culture of past conferences, including plenary lectures and break-out panels, a certificate of business administration program, schoolroom seating, discussion tables, industry exhibits and networking opportunities. Conference speakers included 13 anesthesiologists, four lawyers, three practice administrators, three consultants, one surgeon and one educator, although several could fit into two categories. To facilitate networking, the conference included receptions with drinks and food both nights of its three-day schedule.

Plenary sessions featured influential, involved and articulate speakers. ASA President Mark J. Lema, M.D., Ph.D., presented “21st Century Anesthesiology — Preparing for the Future Paradigm.” Judith Jurin Semo, J.D., outside legal counsel to ASA and to many anesthesia practices, reviewed issues of importance for anesthesiologists who practice or invest in ambulatory surgical centers. Frank G. Opelka, M.D., a surgeon and leader in health care quality, reviewed the development and status of pay-for-performance policies. Genie Blough, M.B.A., and Shena Scott, M.B.A., past presidents of the Anesthesia Administrators Assembly, reviewed how anesthesiologists can improve their practices using Medical Group Management Association (MGMA)/ASA cost survey data. ASA members can purchase the MGMA/ASA “Cost Survey of Anesthesia Practices: 2006 Report” and the most recent practice management manual commissioned by ASA and written by Ms. Semo, “Ambulatory Surgical Centers: A Manual for Anesthesiologists.” Both are offered to ASA members at a discount through the ASA Web site.

Panels focused on hot issues in anesthesiology practices, including covering obstetrics, trauma and pain; exclusive contracts for anesthesiologists; anesthesia information management systems; working part-time; and the future of anesthesia practice. The Certificate in Business Administration program offered workshops on anesthesia group governance and negotiating skills for anesthesiologists.

Anesthesiologists also can purchase through the ASA Web site 21 individual chapters from the conference syllabus or, at a discounted price, the entire syllabus.

Four conference presentations were recorded and will be available for download. These presentations will be similar in format to Annual Meeting Highlights, another Web-based program that debuted in January.

Speakers, Committee on Practice Management members and other experts led 24 discussion tables [Table 1]. These again proved popular as attendees moved among discussion groups and shared their own experiences. Sunny weather in Phoenix allowed holding the discussions outside [Figure 2]. Committee members volunteer their time and find participation personally valuable.

Figure 2: Discussion table at 2007 Conference on Practice Management. Photo by Robert E. Johnstone, M.D.

Planning is now under way for the 2008 Conference on Practice Management in Tampa, Florida, on January 25-27, 2008. Registration will open at the ASA 2007 Annual Meeting in San Francisco this October.

Robert E. Johnstone, M.D., is Professor of Anesthesiology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia. He is ASA Director for West Virginia.