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Howard Levine, MD
President, American Rhinologic Society
Education, science, member advocacy and support of our future rhinologists are the pillars of the American Rhinologic Society.
The recent ARS COSM Spring session was an opportunity to hear up to date basic science and clinical presentations in rhinology. It was an occasion to see friends and colleagues and visit vendors in an intimate setting seeing what is new in treatment and medical devices.
While all of this was occurring, there was the diligent work of your ARS Board and its many committees each working to improve the quality of our meetings and provide support to physicians in their private or academic practices. Here are some of the issues being discussed.
New technologies (e.g. endoscopic sinus surgery, image guidance) bring initial uncertainty amongst physicians as to where it fits and to payers as to how, when or if to pay. So too, with balloon catheter dilation of the paranasal sinuses which has been discussed at our scientific meetings, ARS and AAO-HNS board meetings and amongst third party payers. At the ARS COSM scientific meeting there were three scientific papers and floor discussion about its place in sinus management. There was a panel of respected rhinologists and representation from industry discussing how to introduce technology to physicians. There has been considerable communication to the ARS from several members and nursing administrators about balloon catheter dilation. In response to this, I have talked to regional medical directors clarifying both this new technology and its proper coding. Your ARS Board has published a revised position statement on "Endoscopic Balloon Catheter Sinus Dilation Technology" (see this issue of "Nose News"). This, along with the AAO-HNS coding alert should help physicians who have had to respond to questions.
The Annual Kennedy Lectureship, held during the Fall ARS meeting and given by an esteemed colleague (James Zinreich, MD, noted radiologist and contributor to rhinology will be the Fall 2007 speaker) will now have permanent funding through grant money donated by an appreciative patient of David Kennedy, MD. These monies will provide years of security so that ARS meeting attendees may learn from noted speakers. This lectureship is a fitting tribute to David for leadership in our society and rhinology.
Your ARS maintains active interest in the future education and recertification of otolaryngologists. We shall have representation in the AAO's initiative of "AcademyU", an online learning experience that will move many of the printed learning initiatives into a computer-based format. Look for more information about this.
As physicians we want to provide the highest quality of care in a safe and secure environment. Safety in medicine is appearing as a topic of discussion in the lay media. The ARS will begin an initiative looking at what standards exist in rhinology safety and creating guidelines to assist us in the office, clinic and operating rooms to enhance our quality of the care.
Look for the announcements about the Fall ARS meeting, Saturday September 15, 2007 in Washington DC. Your Program Committee is already hard at work creating an exciting educational event. As a bonus, on Monday morning, September 17, there will be a combined session discussing the "unified airway" jointly sponsored by the ARS and American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy (AAOA). This promises to be an important educational and scientific event.
These are only a few of the highlights of the ARS activities. Become part of the excitement of the ARS. Come to the meeting. Present a paper. Take part in the discussion. Help on a committee. Mark your calendars and see you in DC!
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