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Fellowship amends Standards of Professionalism

By Richard N. Peterson, JD

Bylaws amendments, resolutions also adopted

The ballots are in and the votes have been counted. By an overwhelming majority, AAOS fellows adopted recommendations on seven resolutions, proposed changes to the AAOS Bylaws, and revisions to the Standards of Professionalism (SOPs) on Providing Musculoskeletal Services to Patients.

Background
At the time of the 2008 balloting, the AAOS had 21,728 active, emeritus, and inactive fellows eligible to vote. Ballots and information on voting were delivered by fax and mail.

Votes were tallied by AAOS research department staff. All valid online and fax submissions received prior to midnight on April 24 were included. Mailed ballots that were postmarked by April 24 and received by noon on April 28 were also included.

Response statistics
A total of 5,573 valid ballots were received, for a 26 percent response rate. A minimum 20 percent of the fellowship is required for balloting to be legitimate.

Nearly two thirds (61 percent) of respondents selected the “all yes” option, while the remainder voted on items individually. No measure received less than a 92 percent approval rate (Table 1).

Nominating Committee
As a result of this vote, the AAOS Nominating Committee will announce its slate of nominees at least 60 days before the Annual Meeting (Dec. 28, 2008 for the 2009 Annual Meeting). The slate will be included in the Official Notice of the 2009 Annual Meeting.

In addition, the names of alternate candidates may be submitted to the AAOS. At least 20 fellows must sign the proposal, and the names must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting (Jan. 27, 2009 for the 2009 Annual Meeting).

The composition of the Nominating Committee will not change. The fellowship will continue to elect six of the seven members on the committee; the AAOS Board of Directors will appoint the chair of the committee.

Table 1. 2008 Voting Summary

Measure

% Yes

% No

Resolution 1: Retain Enhanced Role of Practicing, Non-surgical Orthopaedic Physician

98.6

1.4

Resolution 2: Retain Health and Fitness Assessment and Maintenance

98.6

1.4

Resolution 3: Retain Support for Medical Savings Accounts

96.8

3.2

Resolution 4: Retain Collective Bargaining Issues

99.3

0.7

Resolution 5: Retain Surgical and Other Medical Society Cooperation re: Health Care Reform Proposals

96.5

3.5

Resolution 6: Retain Disability Insurance Policies

99.0

1.0

Resolution 7: Retain Orthopaedic Surgeons as Highly Qualified and Cost Effective Professionals

99.5

0.5

Bylaw 1: Require Nominating Committee to announce its slate of nominees at least 60 days before Annual Meeting

98.5

1.5

Bylaw 2: Retain Current process of the Fellowship electing 6 of 7 seats on the AAOS Nominating Committee

92.2

7.8

Bylaw 3: Adopt Extending eligibility to become an AAOS Assoc Resident Member to all Orthopaedic Residents

95.8

4.2

Standards of Professionalism: Adopt Revisions on Providing Musculoskeletal Services to Patients

96.7

3.3

Click here to view the revised standards (PDF format)

AAOS Now
June 2008 Issue
http://www.aaos.org/news/aaosnow/jun08/VotingResults.asp

Patient Information