The Power of Our Pillar: The Value of Advocacy for Our Profession and Patients

Wilford K. Gibson, MD; Stacie Monroe

Have you noticed that in the AAOS logo the “O” has three arrows? They represent the pillars of our organization: research, education, and advocacy. Advocacy ranks highly among our members as one of the most valued membership services. Whether you are in academia, an employed physician, or in private practice, we are advancing your issues. Although orthopaedics is comprehensive, with 24 subspecialties in all, the AAOS Office of Government Relations (OGR) advocates for the entire field.

U.S. News & World Report Announces Updates to Its Online Physician Profiles

Maureen Leahy

In 2017, during a forum held at the AAOS Annual Meeting, representatives from U.S. News & World Report introduced the publication’s plan to publish individual hip and knee surgeon performance analyses. The purpose, they explained, is to provide patients with decision support and better reflect the quality of care that orthopaedic surgeons provide (see U.S. News & World Report to Publish Hip and Knee Surgeon Ratings, AAOS Now, May 2017).

AAOS AUC Guide Residents’ Decision-making in the Acute Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures

Sravya Vajapey, MD

Distal radius fractures (DRFs) are among the most common injuries in orthopaedic practice and account for up to 20 percent of the fractures treated in the emergency department (ED). In tertiary care centers and academic institutions, the first provider to see a patient after an emergency physician’s evaluation is usually not an orthopaedic surgery attending. It can be a physician’s assistant (PA), a nurse practitioner, a resident, or an ED attending.

A Record Payout from a Broken Malpractice System

Eeric Truumees, MD

This article is the first part of a two-part series. The second part will be featured in the November issue of AAOS Now and will focus on how healthcare reform and burnout can impact malpractice. In early July, we learned of the largest single payout to a patient for medical malpractice. The case involved spine surgery, so my friends—both those in health care and not—asked me to comment.

First Female African-American Surgeon Shapes Orthopaedics

Wayne A. Johnson, MD

When individuals achieve unlikely and near-impossible feats, it is often done with the help of mentors and others who motivate them to never give up. Claudia Lynn Thomas, MD, had the unwavering support of her parents, Charles, who taught her carpentry and the importance of a strong work ethic, and Daisy, who taught her the alphabet and how to sew. Those skills and foundational building blocks, coupled with an exceptional education and a loving, supportive family, helped propel Dr.

Visual Abstracts Make Scholarly Publications More ‘Social’

Alok D. Sharan, MD, MHCDS; Greg Schroeder, MD; Alexander Vaccaro, MD, PhD, MBA

Before the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century, books were printed on hard wooden blocks—a very cumbersome process. Gutenberg’s creation of metal-based, movable parts meant that books could be printed easily and rapidly. This, combined with the many new ideas that were emerging during the Renaissance, resulted in a transformative period in knowledge management. Academic journals are currently undergoing a similar transformation.

Read This Before Submitting an Open-access Manuscript

Daniel R. Schlatterer, DO, MS

After completing a research study, an author must decide where to submit the manuscript for publication. Currently, there are two options: (1) traditional print journals, which can be read online or in mailed hardcopy; and (2) electronic journals that are accessible to anyone, anywhere, free of subscription costs but available only online (no hardcopy option).

What’s New at Foot & Ankle International?

David B. Thordarson, MD

Getting published in a peer-reviewed journal remains the hallmark of scientific verification of a study’s content and an important way to disseminate information to our colleagues and the public. Although the peer-review process is a generally accepted framework, the submission and review process varies from one journal to another. In addition, the advent of the electronic submission and review process, as well as other factors, has led to a change in the publishing process.

AAOS Communications Cabinet Balances Focus on ‘External’ and ‘Internal’ Audiences

Jennifer M. Weiss, MD

In March, I started my term as chair of the AAOS Communications Cabinet. Since then, I have given a tremendous amount of thought to the state of the cabinet in 2018. I have served on the Communications Cabinet twice before and began my service as a member of the Leadership Fellows Program in 2010. I then transitioned into the member-at-large role.

In Memoriam

July 19, 2016 Austin, Texas Paul E. Lagler Jr, MD May 22, 2017 Fresno, Calif. William J. Mitchell, MD March 31, 2018 Herndon, Va. Richard E. Polly, MD March 26, 2017 Topeka, Kan. Louis R. Vazquez, MD Feb. 21, 2017 Manhattan Beach, Calif.