AAOS, ORS annual meetings: the premier meetings in orthopedics

At some point, fiscal responsibility must enter the program; reduced reimbursement rates have only been delayed.

Issue: February 2004

ByDouglas W. Jackson, MD

Douglas W. Jackson, MD [photo] --- Douglas W. Jackson, Chief Medical Editor

Once again this March we will enjoy my two favorite annual meetings — Orthopaedic Research Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons — that are held back-to-back over a one-week period. I have considered it a privilege to attend these meetings throughout my training and professional career. They have consistently enhanced my education and given me information and techniques each year that I then translate into improved patient care.

It is even more special this year because the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) will be commemorating its 50th annual meeting. The Society’s Golden Anniversary meeting will start on Sunday, March 7, at the Moscone West Convention Center, in San Francisco. The AAOS/ORS Combined Day will take place on March 10 at the same location, and that same day marks the opening of the AAOS annual meeting, which continues through Sunday, March 14.

Attending these annual meetings gives the feeling of a three-ring circus: They have something for everyone and, more often than not, offer many things of interest at the same time. All of us must share the same feelings when we leave that we have learned a great deal, that there was more available at the meeting than we could possibly do, and that we interacted with many old and new colleagues both professionally and socially.

Each session presents new scientific material, updates old material and offers thoughtful reviews and peer commentary. There are presenters and participants from all over the world. Each of us has the opportunity to be a presenter and to talk with other presenters and dissenters. We can stand in front of our exhibit or another exhibit and hear perspectives we did not anticipate or think about previously. There are committee meetings, specialty society events, special interest groups and meetings for travel clubs. There is plenty for every generation and interest level in our profession. The activities include members, nonmembers, spouses and guests.

Pursue opportunities

Attending these annual meetings gives the feeling of a three-ring circus: They have something for everyone and, more often than not, offer many things of interest at the same time.

While many things have changed in our profession over the years, our annual meetings have remained the premier educational and learning experience for most of us. The meetings give us the chance to pursue different opportunities and focuses each year. They offer a potpourri of educational opportunities and allow us to tailor our experience to meet our individual needs.

Both meetings continue to grow and respond to the membership. This year the ORS program received a record number of abstract submissions (2411). The spectrum of the educational programs at AAOS will include 290 podium and 490 poster presentations, 179 instructional courses, 31 symposia and 80 scientific exhibits. More than 400 companies will be represented in the AAOS Technical Exhibit area; more than 60 new companies will be exhibiting for the first time.

Even the technical exhibits are an educational experience. Unfortunately, during this busy meeting, I never seem to allocate enough time for walking through the entire exhibit area. It always takes me longer than I have allocated. Most members and guests find they need a preplanned master schedule for their choices. I carefully compile each day’s schedule in advance, but I seldom am able to stay on course since I modify my schedule based on new information, opportunities, friends, vendors and/or fatigue.

The meeting is a very stimulating social time as well as a time to see what is new and what has been updated. One thing that always takes more time as one moves around the convention center is meeting and catching up with old friends and making new acquaintances — both orthopedists, other musculoskeletal scientists and those from our related industry. There is always someone wanting to show you something or talk about something that is fascinating.

Musculoskeletal science

A smaller number of clinicians and AAOS members attend the ORS meeting. It is the most stimulating and educational meeting related to musculoskeletal science that I attend. I wish more of you took the time to attend one of the ORS annual meetings. Some of the new ideas and material presented there are clinically usable immediately, and some percolate for years in ORS meetings before they are translated into clinically useful applications.

At the annual ORS meeting, PhDs, MDs and other scientists working in musculoskeletal science bring forward more sophisticated information every year. As one looks at the abstract history, it speaks for itself. In 1955 there were 29 submissions compared to 2411 for the 2004 ORS meeting. At the ORS Golden Anniversary celebration meeting there will also be educational workshops and symposia, concurrent podium sessions in five rooms at times, and poster presentations. In addition, some outstanding presentations and recognitions will be given: the Kappa Delta Award Paper Presentations, OREF Clinical Research Award Paper Presentation, ORS/AAOS Shands Lecture, William Harris Award, Marshall Urist Award, and the Arthur Steindler Award.

I am looking forward to this year’s meetings in San Francisco and hope to see most of you there. Say “hello” if our paths cross and please offer any suggestions you might have to help keep Orthopedics Today the relevant scientific newspaper that it is.