Practice management exam is also a learning opportunity

Want help in generating additional revenue and decreasing your professional liability risk? Do you need to know more about Stark and antikickback regulations? Would you like to improve your CPT coding techniques, reduce the high expense of staff turnover, and identify inefficiencies in your practice?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, the new 2007 Self-Scored Practice Management Examination is for you. Plus, you’ll be able to earn up to 10 AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits™.

Business scenarios, 100 items
The 100-item Practice Management Examination covers a wide array of issues related to operating an orthopaedic practice. “I was most struck by how varied the questions are,” said William J. Mallon, MD. “It really encompasses the varied aspects of practice management.”

An editorial board of orthopaedic surgeons in private practice and from academia, along with professional practice management consultants, developed the examination. In addition to revenue generation, liability, coding, personnel, and regulatory topics, the questions cover corporate governance, professional and ethical guidelines, occupational health, and more.

The questions are written in case-scenario style with five responses. The preferred response, a discussion, and references to support the response are included with each question, making the exam a great learning tool to use alone or with others in a group-practice setting.

Test takers agree: It’s a keeper!
“I have been in practice for 17 years and thought I had a cursory handle on much of the information in the exam,” said Nancy E. McKinley, MD, “but this examination put objective criteria behind that belief.” As a result of taking the exam, Dr. McKinley also said that she came to understand the Stark regulations more clearly and is more comfortable with when and how to interact with other business entities.

“I was very favorably impressed with the exam—both as a learning tool and as an opportunity to earn CME with this subject matter. I have mentioned the exam content to a number of individuals both within and outside of orthopaedics,” said Dr. McKinley.

“I’d definitely recommend the exam to any of my colleagues who have a role in group governance,” said Dr. Mallon.

The examination is available as an online product but can also be purchased in print format. Both formats are available to fellows and residents at an introductory price of $60. For more product information, visit the AAOS Web site at www3.aaos.org/product

Tye Ouzounian, MD, is editor of the 2007 Practice Management Examination Editorial Board. He can be reached at ouzouniant@aol.com Marty Krawczyk is the AAOS practice management group coordinator and can be reached at krawczyk@aaos.org

More practice management advice
The AAOS has additional practice management programs and resources designed to provide fellows, residents, and others with the tools to manage the business side of orthopaedics efficiently. Take advantage of the following products and services:

• Online Practice Management Center—Articles, spreadsheets, coding information, and other business tools to help you run your practice efficiently can be found at www.aaos.org/pracman (member login required).
• Practice Management Consults—Audio programs (available in MP3 and CD format) presented by orthopaedic surgeons, management consultants, attorneys, and other professionals on issues such as managing liability risk, payor agreements, income distribution, and more. Practice Management Consults are cosponsored by the AAOS and the BONES Society. Purchase programs as a series or individually via the AAOS online store at www3.aaos.org
• Practice Management Symposium for Practicing Orthopaedic Surgeons, Course #550—A full-day course, to be held March 4, 2008, before the start of the 75th Annual Meeting in San Francisco. The program focuses on strategies for increasing practice income and innovative ways to hold the line on expenses.