Develop educational programs and organizational relationships that will improve the quality of musculoskeletal care by taking advantage of a variety of health care delivery systems.

Objectives

1.1 Work with other organizations representing providers of musculoskeletal services to develop systems of patient management that will be physician-controlled, cost-effective and preserve timely access to specialty care. These cooperative efforts may include research, provider education, patient education, advocacy and patient care models and tools.

1.2 Analyze changes in the musculoskeletal patient population and develop programs and policies that address those changes.

1.3 Identify, monitor and/or develop models of musculoskeletal health care delivery that maximize the quality and cost-effectiveness of care.

1.4 As new delivery models are developed, provide programs to assist orthopaedic surgeons to redefine their roles, appropriate to local and regional needs.

Be responsive to the educational needs and desires of musculoskeletal professionals by promoting the acquisition of current, relevant knowledge and skills in creative, flexible, affordable, efficient and accessible ways to deliver the highest quality patient care.

Objectives

2.1 Provide a multifaceted array of educational programs for the fellowship and other orthopaedic surgeons.

2.2 Provide educational content in practice management for orthopaedic surgeons, including programs to help orthopaedists with their practices in the changing socioeconomic environment.

2.3 Actively promote awareness of Academy educational programs and materials internationally.

2.4 Provide educational content in musculoskeletal medicine for health care professionals, other providers, patients and the public, utilizing the most effective means available.

2.5 Actively promote awareness of and provide education of members in electronic communications skills, telemedicine and medical informatics.

2.6 Develop and validate methods to measure the educational effectiveness in both teaching and learning related to our programs and products; implement teaching methods validated as effective.

2.7 Evaluate whether present educational programs and materials on general orthopaedics need to be supplemented and, if required, develop programs and materials to meet this need.

2.8 Evaluate the breadth and depth of our relationships with industry and specialty societies in educational
activities.

2.9 Provide educational content on the implications of advances in biotechnology for patient care, cost-effectiveness and scope of practice for orthopaedists and other providers, and on the ethical implications of biotechnology and changes in health care delivery and financing.

Influence the direction of health care delivery and communicate this direction to members, the public and policy makers.

Objectives

3.1 Advocate policies and programs that will maintain and improve the quality of and access to musculoskeletal care.

3.2 Regularly determine which health policy and practice issues are important to the members and what positions the Academy should take in addressing these issues.

3.3 Preserve access to the highest quality, cost-effective musculoskeletal care for all populations.

3.4 Promote the highest standards of professional and ethical behavior.

3.5 Monitor and collect data for decision makers and become an informational resource on orthopaedic work force matters.

3.6 Advocate fair payment for services provided.

3.7 Monitor, analyze and regularly communicate to the fellowship developing trends and activities in private sector health care delivery.

3.8 Work with other orthopaedic organizations to encourage and promote orthopaedic surgeons in pursuing careers in health policy.

Promote basic and clinical research of the musculoskeletal system.

Objectives

4.1 Develop programs that promote outcomes and effectiveness research.

4.2 Promote public and private funding for basic and clinical musculoskeletal research.

4.3 Develop clinical algorithms and practice parameters.

4.4 Develop a national database on patients with musculoskeletal disease which will provide information on patient care outcomes and resource utilization.

4.5 Monitor and address emerging issues in biotechnology related to research, regulation and patent issues.

4.6 Work with other orthopaedic organizations to encourage and promote orthopaedic surgeons in pursuing careers in basic and clinical research.

Be a fiscally responsible organizational structure which responds rapidly to the needs of its members.

Objectives

5.1 Develop a flexible organizational culture that ensures a rapid response to meet the changing needs of the members.

5.2 Develop an organizational mindset that insures that the Academy remains fiscally responsible.

5.3 Develop collaborative relationships with orthopaedic state, regional and specialty societies that facilitate joint development of strategies and programs.

5.4 Implement and use high tech communication capability to directly interact with members on a regular basis.

5.5 Carefully explore the development of shared interest groups within the structure of the Academy, including international members, allied health categories and others as identified and as appropriate.

5.6 Provide a comprehensive array of vehicles which will effectively communicate information that is responsive to the needs and concerns of the members, the public, policy makers and other professionals.

5.7 Actively assess member needs using a variety of means that encourage member feedback; evaluate and respond to identified needs.