CONTENTS
1) 2008 Annual Meeting Programme Info Is Here!
2) Survey From the National Standards Committee
3) Join the CORL Wall of Fame
4) More Doctors. More Care. CMA Launches National Campaign
5) Fostering Better MSK Health in Canada - Because We Can!
6) Unsure If Your Abstract Was Accepted?

1) 2008 ANNUAL MEETING PROGRAMME INFO IS HERE!
Extensive preliminary programme information has been added to the 2008 Qubec City Annual Meeting web site. Symposia descriptions, updated at-a-glance, partner's programme and social event descriptions, as well as travel and hotel information have been added to: http://www.aoacoa2008.org/. Visit this web site often to get the most up to date information on the upcoming combined COA and AOA Annual Meeting being held from June 4-7, 2008.

2) SURVEY FROM THE NATIONAL STANDARDS COMMITTEE
Earlier this week, the COA's National Standards Committee sent out an e-mail survey to all Active members seeking your views on whether the COA should adopt, as policy, a maximum acceptable waiting time for fixation of a hip fracture in the medically fit patient. We would very much appreciate your response to this brief survey. We estimate the survey should take less than 3 minutes to complete.

3) JOIN THE CORL WALL OF FAME
Will your name be among those CORL legacy builders at this year's COA meeting? Join your colleagues in making an annual commitment of one hour of operating time per year - $300 - to create reliable funding for orthopaedic research in Canada. Donation packages were mailed in late December - check yours to make your donation, or visit http://www.canorth.org/ > For Professionals > CORL to make your donation on-line.

4) MORE DOCTORS. MORE CARE. CMA LAUNCHES NATIONAL CAMPAIGN
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) announced last week that they are launching a major campaign to put the growing physician shortage on the federal political agenda. "The shortage of health care professionals affects wait times and hurts patients," said President, Dr. Brian Day. "There are simply not enough of us to keep providing the quality health care that Canadians expect and deserve. Politicians must act soon because the situation will just get worse."

The facts and figures on the current state of the physician shortage are bleak: Canada would need 26,000 more doctors to meet the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) average of physicians per population, and the average doctor today is working more hours than she or he did 20 years ago.

In launching the campaign, Dr. Day also unveiled new research on the cost of waiting for care in Canada. The dramatic data show that the costs associated with patients waiting for care in four of the five "priority" areas identified by governments in the 2004 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care topped $14.8 billion in 2007. One of the top five priority areas includes hip and knee replacement surgery. The report also reveals that excess waits for care reduced economic activity and lowered the revenues of federal and provincial governments by a combined $4.4 billion in 2007. The full report, The Economic Cost of Wait Times in Canada - is available at: http://www.cma.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/45087/la_id/1.htm. The CMA's "More Doctors. More Care" Campaign will include national advertising, advocacy, online ads, a postcard-writing blitz and events aimed directly at Parliament Hill. Canadians, physicians and patients will be encouraged to contact their MPs by visiting http://www.moredoctors.ca/.

5) FOSTERING BETTER MSK HEALTH IN CANADA - BECAUSE WE CAN!
The Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation is developing a public awareness and patient education programme to help Canadians build and keep healthy bones and joints. We need expert input and help to bring it to life. Watch your COA Bulletin and mail for more information throughout 2008 ... and join the movement!

6) UNSURE IF YOUR ABSTRACT WAS ACCEPTED?
Notifications were sent by e-mail in November to all submitting and presenting authors who participated in the COA's call for abstracts. If you're still unsure if your abstract has been accepted for podium or poster presentation at this June's Annual Meeting in Qubec City, please go to http://www.aoacoa2008.org/. Click on "Abstract Acceptances" in the right column, and log in to view the status of your submission and complete the appropriate disclaimer forms. If you require assistance, please contact Trinity Wittman (514 874-9003 x 4 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) with your inquiry.