The NASEC will serve to oversee the Spine-related educational activities of AO North America with special emphasis on designing improved methods of education, documenting the effectiveness of the educational activities, course planning and instructor development. The NASEC will in no way be involved in the marketing activities of any surgical instrument/implant company.
CME offerings will include annual courses, symposia and workshops targeted to surgeons specializing in the management of Spinal disorders. These educational offerings may incorporate lecture presentations by Faculty, surgical video instruction, small group instruction and discussions that incude case presentations, preoperative planning assessments and techniques and hands-on laboratory sessions to experience practicing surgical techniques and applications utilizing anatomically correct bone models and applicable instruments and implants.
The NASEC will consist of six members effective May 1997; the Chair, CME Advisor (this position to be held by one of the existing committee members) and four members. The Committee position of Immediate Past Chair will become effective following the Committee Chair's term of office. The term of each member Committe member will include two years as Chair and two years as Immediate Past Chair. New members will be appointed by the Committee as members rotate off the Committee. Inclusion of Consultants will be at the discretion of the Committee. All surgeon members of the Committee have a vote. The Director of AO ASIF Continuing Education and the Spine Course Manager will serve as ex officio members. A member must remain off the Committee for a minimum of three years before being eligible for reappointment. The Committee will endeavor to balance the appointments by career stage, subspecialty interest and geographic region. Committee members are chosen from the membership of AO North American based on demonstration of active interest in education.
The Committee will attempt to convene a minimum of three times per year (Spring, Summer, Fall). The Springs and Fall meetings will be full Committee meetings at a time and place to be determined by the Chair. The Summer meeting will be conducted via conference call. The Committee Chair will be a member of the North American Education Commission which reports to the Executive Committee of AO North America.
A part of each meeting agenda will be devoted, but not limited to:
1. Evaluation of recent courses
2. Discussion of new approaches
3. Implementation of required program changes
4. Standardization of course content
5. Evaluating educator effectiveness
6. Requests for courses
7. Future Course Chairmen and locations
8. Consideration of new Faculty applications
9. Other business as required.