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Feb. 11, 2009 |
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Welcome to ACAAI eNews - a bi-weekly aggregated news
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Conferences
On Line Allergy Initiative (COLA)
2008 ACAAI Annual Meeting CME Symposium
2008 ACAAI Annual Meeting Podcasts and Vodcasts
2008 ACAAI/AAAAI Certification/Maintenance of Certification Board Review Course
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Periodicals |
Annals of Allergy, Asthma and
Immunology
Current issue
AllergyWatch
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Calendar |
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FEBRUARY
Oregon Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Pending ACAAI Joint Sponsorship
Feb. 11, Eugene, Ore.
Contact: Gina J. Williams
Tel: 360-708-9555
Email
MARCH
Michigan Asthma and Allergy Society
Pending ACAAI Joint Sponsorship
March 4, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Contact: Gina Gibson
Tel: 517-336-5709
Email
2009 AAAAI Annual Meeting
March 13-17, Washington, D.C.
Tel: 888-869-0189 (US/Canada)
Tel: 415-979-2277 (International/Local)
Email
Link
First Middle East-Asia Allergy Asthma Immunology Congress
ACAAI Collaborating Partner
March 26-29, Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 4 341 5663
Email
Link
MAY
2009 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Society of Georgia Meeting
Pending ACAAI Joint Sponsorship
May 1-3, Pine Mountain, Ga.
Contact: Leslie Morris
Tel: 770-534-0534
Email
Atopy Patch Testing in Food Allergy
New York Allergy & Asthma Society
Pending ACAAI Joint Sponsorship
May 13, New York, N.Y.
Contact: Robert M. Klein, MD
Tel: 973-773-7400
Email
JULY
27th Annual Asthma Allergy Conference
Pending ACAAI Joint Sponsorship
July 29 - Aug. 1, Aspen, Colo.
Contact: Jill Hibbeln
Tel: 303-520-7660
Email
ONGOING
World
Allergy Organization Society Meetings
ACAAI
CME JOINT SPONSORSHIP ACCREDITATION
Contact: Mary Campbell
Tel: 847-427-1200
Email
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Top
Stories |
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Study: Children with asthma don’t miss more school
Contradicting previous research, a new study of urban Dallas students in Chest says students with asthma don’t miss more school than those without asthma. Researchers at Baylor University looked at the absence rates for fourth- through sixth-grade students at Dallas Independent School District (DISD) schools. A sample of 353 students with possible asthma was selected from 19 of the schools. They were tested using a modified Brief Pediatric Screen instrument, spirometry and exercise challenge testing to confirm an asthma diagnosis. Among them, 25 students were excluded for FEV1 < 70 percent and without bronchodilator response, 57 students had positive exercise challenge test results, and 171 students had negative exercise challenge results. Absence rates for all groups were between 2 percent and 3 percent. “Students with asthma in the DISD miss no more school their classmates without asthma,” said the authors.
Children born by C-section have higher asthma risk
Children born by cesarean section have a higher risk for developing asthma, especially if their parents have allergies, according to a study in Thorax. Scientists from National Institute for Public Health and the Environment in Bilthoven, Netherlands, analyzed data from 2,917 children, looking at the association between cesarean delivery and asthma or allergen sensitization at 8 years of age. Serum IgE levels for inhalant and food allergens also were measured in about half the subjects. The odds ratio for asthma associated with cesarean delivery vs. vaginal delivery was 1.79. But for children with one or two parents with allergic disease, the odds ratios were 1.86 and 2.91, respectively, compared with 1.36 among those whose parents did not have allergic disease. A C-section delivery also was linked to allergen sensitization, but only in children whose parents did not have allergic disease (OR = 2.14).
Kids with asthma may be more at risk for too much screen time
Children with asthma may be more vulnerable than other children to spending too much time in front of a screen, according to a study in Academic Pediatrics. As part of a larger study about how to effectively treat asthma, researchers at University of Rochester Medical Center, N.Y., surveyed parents of children ages 3 to 10 with asthma in urban Rochester, asking questions that included information about the children’s time in front of a screen: TV, hand-held video game or computer. Of the 226 children whose parents were surveyed, 74 percent exceeded two hours of screen time per day, which is the maximum amount recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. On average, the children spent 3.4 hours in front of a screen per day. The study did not include a control group of children without asthma.
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Message from James R. Claflin, M.D., FACAAI, Chair, CME/CPD Committee
 ACAAI Annual Meeting in Seattle a success!
The Continuing Medical Education/Continuing Professional Development (CME/CPD) is responsible for summarizing the ACAAI Annual Meeting and evaluating whether the College is achieving the desired CME/CPD mission and goals. The ACAAI is surveyed intermittently and given accreditation for a specified period of time by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). With this in mind, let's summarize the meeting:
- A total of 3,720 registrants
- 1,271 member physicians (247 FITs) and 372 non-member physicians (29 FITs and 65 residents).
- 324 RNs, assistants, and office managers
- 473 other non-physicians (PhDs, etc.)
- 372 Alliance/guests
- 908 exhibitors
- There were 101 exhibiting companies and 295 exhibit booths.
- The presentations were rated on a 4.0 scale covering objectives met, content, effectiveness of teaching/learning methods, topic interest, applicability to practice, quality of AV material, bias, and whether to invite again.
- Most attendees were satisfied with the material presented and the faculty.
- Each presentation had approximately 50 percent or less (usually much less) of the respondents note that it would result in changes to their practices.
- It appeared that more attendees were more aware of bias and conflict-of-interest (COI) issues that may affect CME/CPD.
Although the meeting was the fourth highest in physician member attendance, it was among the lowest in the following areas of participation:
- Non-member physician attendance
- RN, assistants, and office manager attendance
- Alliance/guest attendance
- Number of registered exhibitors
- Number of exhibiting companies
- Number of exhibiting booths
Participation from Alliance and industry was down
With the recent news coverage of pharmaceutical/physician COI relationships, it is not surprising that we saw a decrease in these numbers, as well as the amount of funding provided for the meeting from pharmaceutical companies. This relationship will undergo an increasing amount of scrutiny, and undoubtedly regulatory control, in the coming years. As most of our members are aware, many individuals in positions of influence are demanding complete separation of pharmaceutical/CME relationships. If this occurs, the structure of our annual meeting will most certainly change to accommodate available funding mechanisms. Be prepared for change!
The significant decrease in Alliance/guest registrations is both unexpected and disconcerting. It is important that members have the opportunity to bring spouses, children, significant others, and guests to enjoy the fellowship and social endeavors that are provided by the College and Alliance. This portion is not related in any manner to CME/CPD, but is extremely important.
Patient-centered results is our goal
Now the kicker! It is the prime objective of the College to provide exceptional CME/CPD opportunities that are exemplary in standing with ACCME requirements. The mission of the ACCME is to make sure that all CME/CPD is patient-centered with the ultimate goal of improving patient care to the best level possible. With that in mind, having less than 50 percent of respondents state that the information provided will result in changes to their practices raises the question whether our CME/CPD program is achieving the desired goals. This number, if true, may be consistent with one or more of the following: we are not meeting the learner's needs, there are misperceived needs, needs are unperceived, or there are not any needs.
The CME/CPD Committee, with approval and guidance by the Board of Regents, used several Workshop sessions for our first trial of educational outcomes. The results will be available after the three-month follow-up is completed.
As a result of ACCME directives, the College will be using core curriculum reviews, learner needs assessment by various methods, program design using identified learner needs, faculty learning objectives that are appropriate for learner needs, and educational outcomes related to the information presented. This will undoubtedly result in changes to the annual program format and the need for attendees to participate in activities that will help determine educational outcomes. This will require major changes in the status quo of how CME/CPD has been provided. Will we succeed? Absolutely yes, because our members are adaptable and have the desire to provide the best allergy/immunology care to our patients that is possible!
Mark your calendars for the ACAAI Annual Meeting, Nov. 5-10, in Miami, Fla., so you, your family, staff, and guests can participate in the 2009 meeting.
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Association
News |
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Help people in your community breathe easier
Registration is now open for the 13th annual Nationwide Asthma Screening Program, the College’s campaign to help people with breathing problems find out if they might have asthma and help diagnosed asthmatics take control of their condition.
The public service campaign promotes early detection and effective treatment of asthma, and the role of the allergist in helping patients find relief. The College’s Marketing Task Force, which oversees the Find an Allergist, Find Relief public awareness and education campaign, is sponsoring the program this year. The Task Force stepped in to save the program after the College received word late last month that a new pharmaceutical sponsor was not available for 2009.
Please consider bringing this campaign to your community. During the past 12 years, the program has screened an estimated 115,000 adults and children and referred more than half for a professional diagnosis. Screening program coordinators receive a free kit of registration and public education materials. Dates and locations for screenings are promoted on the College’s Web site.
The deadline for registration for the 2009 program is March 15. For a registration form, click here or call the screening program Help Line at (312) 558-1175.
Join the College's campaign to help people
Find an Allergist, Find Relief
All ACAAI member-allergists have an opportunity to be part of the largest, most
expansive public education and advocacy campaign about the benefits of seeing
an allergist.
Allergy and asthma sufferers need you, but may not know about you. That's the
reason for the coordinated national and local strategies to spread the word
about allergists. You can be part of this mobilization by joining the Allergy
and Asthma Relief Team.
All Relief Team members receive a "toolkit" for spreading the word in their
communities and for marketing their own practices. The toolkit includes:
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patient education brochures
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advertising templates
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a window cling featuring the new allergist logo
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community and media tips
Join the estimated 500 ACAAI members who have already joined the Relief Team.
Visit www.AllergyAndAsthmaRelief.org/order
to register and receive your free toolkit.
ACAAI Allergist Buyers Guide gets nearly 22,500 total hits
Since its launch Jan. 14 as the first product marketplace representing the field of allergy-immunology, the online ACAAI Allergist Buyers Guide attracted 865 visitors and received 22,366 total hits.
The College created the ACAAI Allergist Buyers Guide to provide you with a fast and easy way to search for industry resources online. Your online searches will easily locate products and services unique to allergy-immunology without the clutter of a general Internet search engine, so you can quickly find and research those hard-to-locate items.
The fully searchable site features listings of companies – including ACAAI Annual Meeting exhibitors – grouped into business segments, such as clinical support services, medical equipment, practice management and pharmaceuticals. In addition, companies may also include videos, testimonials and product specifications.
Annual Meeting vodcasts available weekly
The College is now offering complimentary vodcasts of 2008 ACAAI Annual Meeting scientific sessions for viewing or downloading from the Distance Learning page of ACAAI Web site.
Members can view new streaming 30-minute vodcasts of key sessions on their computers weekly, or download them as a file directly to a portable media player. The first vodcasts contain the slides and audio from the 2008 half-day conferences in Seattle on Tracking Oral Immunotherapy: Should We Begin the Slit Express and Dermatology and Your Practice:
- “The Latin Experience: Especially Young Children” (2/9) – Presented by Jose Huerta-Lopez, M.D., FACAAI
- “The U.S. Inexperience: A View From Hal” (2/16) – Presented by Harold S. Nelson, M.D., FACAAI
Future vodcasts will feature selected sessions from the Literature Review Course and the named lectures. This convenient service is sponsored by an educational grant from GlaxoSmithKline.
“Hot Topics in Allergy” airs daily on ReachMD XM Satellite Radio
The “Hot Topics in Allergy” series airing daily, exclusively on the ReachMD XM Satellite Radio (Channel 160), is created in partnership with ACAAI.
New programs, with hosts Todd A. Mahr, M.D., FACAAI, and Ketan K. Sheth, M.D., M.B.A., include the following topics:
- “Evaluation of Infants & Children with Refractory Lower Respiratory Symptoms” (2/16) – Bradley E. Chipps, M.D., FACAAI
- “Healthcare Reform” (2/23) – J. Allen Meadows, M.D., FACAAI
Listen at XM160 or online with promo code: ACAAI. ReachMD offers breaking medical news, roundtable discussions, medical education and other unique programming 24/7 to more than 250,000 weekly listeners.
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AMA Corner
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Welcome to the AMA Corner, prepared by Alnoor A. Malick, M.D., FACAAI, the College’s Delegate to the AMA House of Delegates. AMA Corner helps keep you abreast of important AMA news and developments impacting allergy-immunology.
AMA, physicians triumph in privacy court case
Physicians — and the AMA — won a major victory for preserving privacy last week when a federal appeals court rejected a consumer group’s attempt to use Medicare billing records to rate doctors.
In Consumers’ Checkbook v. United States, the nonprofit Consumers’ Checkbook group won a lower-court ruling in 2007 that directed the government to release Medicare physician payment records under the federal Freedom of Information Act. The AMA urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to challenge the decision, and the Litigation Center of the AMA and State Medical Societies joined the HHS in an appeal. The AMA argued that the use of raw Medicare claims data would not only have almost no bearing on the quality of medical services but would tend to mislead patients.
In a judgment issued Jan. 30, the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the AMA and the HHS. In its decision, the court noted the significant right to privacy that physicians have and concluded that the release of personal physician payment data does not meet the standard of the Freedom of Information Act.
See what’s ahead in health care
Health Care Trends, a newly updated publication from the AMA, details the issues and trends shaping medicine today, and how they affect physicians and their patients. The report includes information about health status and demographics of the U.S. population, factors affecting health care spending, and changes in the physician work force. It also covers patient expectations and perceptions, the public health system, trends in technology, and changes in medical education and physician continuing professional development.
Health Care Trends is updated every two years by the AMA Council on Long Range Planning and Development.
- Contact Don Zeigler, the AMA’s director of long-range health care trends, at (312) 464-5320 for additional information.
- Contact Carrie Domangue at (312) 464-4391 for a free copy of Health Care Trends on CD-ROM.
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Fellows-in-Training |
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Board Review Corner
Welcome to the Board Review Corner prepared by Jennifer W. Mbuthia, M.D., and Christopher R. Martin, M.D., Senior and Junior Representatives of ACAAI’s fellows-in-training (FITs) to the Board of Regents. The Board Review Corner is an opportunity to help hone your Board preparedness.
To refer to a previous Board Review Corner, click the "FIT Archive" link in the
left column.
Review Questions: Chapter 46 of Pediatric Allergy: Principles & Practices, edited by Donald Y.M. Leung, et al. Review questions were written by Christopher R. Martin, M.D., Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and Madhu B. Narra, M.D., Baylor College of Medicine.
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