Xi’an, China

World Forum for Spine Research (WFSR)

May 15–17, 2014

 

Co-chaired by Prof Kenneth Cheung (Hong Kong), Prof Keita Ito (The Netherlands), and Prof Zhuojing Luo (China), this year’s WFSR meeting will focus on various aspects of the Intervertebral Disc—from Degeneration to Therapeutic Motion Preservation. The program has just been published.

 

Xi'an is primarily known for its rich cultural heritage: it is the starting point of the Silk Road and home to the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Only discovered in 1974, the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang is famous for its terracotta warriors. A visit of this exceptional UNESCO World Heritage site, where thousands of masterpieces and historical artefacts still remain to be unearthed, can be integrated as part of the program of the World Forum for Spine Research.

 

The World Forum for Spine Research is a unique and stimulating event where you can gain insight into the most current research findings in motion preservation, as well as an excellent opportunity to share and update knowledge, and meet and interact with top researchers from all over the world.

 

Interested? Visit the WFSR 2014 website.

 

 

 

Dübendorf, Switzerland:

AOSpine Europe solidifies the Educational Advisor selection process

 

You are probably aware that AOSpine introduced the Educational Advisor (EA) faculty position a few years ago. To facilitate interested faculty members to move toward this position, the AOSpine Europe Education Officers have developed a streamlined, transparent selection criteria, a process, and term of office.

 

To qualify as an EA (which now carries a 6 year term of office) it is necessary to  have served as an AOSpine course chairperson at least once in the past 3 years and have been faculty on an AOSpine course at least 3 times in the past 3 years. In addition, you must have attended an AOSpine European Training for Chairpersons before you can nominate yourself for the position.

 

Under the new policy, 1 EA will be allocated by AOSpine Europe—in collaboration with the European board members—to each educational event in the region. Selected from key opinion leaders with a strong interest in education, the EAs are responsible for overseeing the successful application of the AOSpine Curriculum, to ensure competencies and key learning outcomes are covered, and to evaluate the course from the perspective of AOSpine's goals.

 

Currently the new process is in use by AOSpine Europe. Discussions with the AOSpine Middle East Board have been positive and other regions are considering adopting the same process.

 

 

 

New AOSpine Curriculum implementation criteria released

 

Revised AOSpine Curriculum criteria have been developed for all educational activities on all levels (Principles, Advanced, and Masters courses, webinars, workshops, and more). This document outlines the criteria and directs faculty to the available support resources. Please refer to the attached checklist  for detailed information.

 

During 2013, a Curriculum enhancement process was started, holding interviews with key opinion leaders, followed by a global online needs analysis. One outcome was the identification of the need to improve communication. In response, items like the Curriculum criteria will continue to be featured in the faculty newsletter with the aim of keeping you informed. The criteria will guide you to fully implement AOSpine's comprehensive, modular and competency-based Curriculum to support the continuous acquisition of necessary knowledge and skills that will help develop spine surgeons worldwide in their areas of specialization, at all stages of their career.

 

 

 

Zürich, Switzerland

AOSEC meeting
coming up: April 5–6,

2014 in Zürich

 

The next AOSpine Education Commission (AOSEC) meeting will take place in Zürich, Switzerland April 5–6, 2014. The AOSEC meets twice a year, face-to-face and also connects via web conferencing throughout the year to discuss strategic aspects related to education.