As a researcher, I count myself among many interested in ASH’s efforts to continue the fight for medical research funding. However, as a physician, I am equally concerned about appropriately incorporating new discoveries into my clinical practice, providing high-quality, evidence-based care to my patients, and ensuring that my concerns as a practicing hematologist are heard during this time of tumultuous change in our health-care system. As 2014 ushers in changes in board certification requirements, the launch of health exchanges, and revised reimbursement policies linked more closely to performance, I was reminded of how ASH helps its members provide quality care to patients while navigating through a transforming practice environment.
The ASH Academy is a good place to start, with its online platform that aids practitioners in maintaining certification and claiming Continuing Medical Education credits. The ASH PQRSPro is an electronic tool that helps members submit quality measures to Medicare’s Physician Quality Reporting System for incentive payments. ASH provides several resources to help practitioners address commonly encountered clinical problems, including the Consultative Hematology Course held prior to State-of-the-Art Symposia (SAS) and during the annual meeting. The course focuses on non-malignant hematology and uses case-based presentations and interactive discussions to convey the information. The Highlights of ASH® meetings held annually in six North American cities and two international locations (March 29-30, in Asia; April 25-26, in Latin America) and SAS (September 12-13, in Chicago; and October 10-11, in Washington, DC) presented by world-renowned experts, are both small, focused meetings that help clinicians learn about evolving therapies and the latest treatment options along with clinical implications of basic research. In addition to ASH’s ever-popular pocket guides, a new publication, How I Treat: A Compendium for the Practicing Hematologist, flew off the shelves at the ASH annual meeting. The Compendium features 33 “How I Treat” articles published in Blood from 2010 through 2012 and updated for this special Compendium. Finally, the ASH Practice Partnership, a group of ASH members representing all types of practice settings, provides the Society with feedback both on the state of practice across the country and on the needs of practitioners. The Committee on Practice, in conjunction with the Committee on Government Affairs, spearheads advocacy efforts of importance to all practitioners, including mitigating drug shortages, championing insurance coverage parity for cancer treatments, and lobbying for physician payment reform.
These are some of the Society’s resources, which are all supported by the ASH Foundation and aimed at assisting the practicing hematologist. While we are operating in a period of uncertainty, be assured that ASH has your back!
