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Cardiologists
in Multi-Specialty Groups Indicate High Level of Job Satisfaction
ACC CEO Chris McEntee recently reported results from a survey
of the College’s membership, completed over the period
from Jan. to Feb., 2003. The survey was undertaken by Bruno
and Ridgway Research Associates, Inc., a market research company
that ranks among the top 100 market research firms in the
country. The survey data represent a 29 percent rate of response,
a narrow margin of error (+/–3.3 percent), at a confidence
level of 95 percent.
Survey
results indicated that—
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Overall, College members generally expressed satisfaction
with respect to their career choice and current practice
situation, but physicians in group practices expressed the
greatest satisfaction with their practice situation (55
percent). Those in solo practice expressed the least satisfaction
(26 percent).
- Members
queried about the College’s performance indicated
that they consider key performance areas to include advocacy
on behalf of their professional interests and greater influence
with legislative leaders and regulatory decision-makers.
They emphasized expanding the College’s political
action activities.
- Members
indicated that the most noticeable changes in their practices
related to financial operation: reimbursements, malpractice
insurance premiums, and more staff members to manage.
To
aid affiliates-in-training in their searches for the perfect
job, the College provides the ACC Practice Opportunity Line,
an online service that provides access to an average of 700
job postings a month—in academia, hospitals, and private
practice. Go to Job Search at http://www.acc.org
to view current career opportunities.
JACC
Reports Laser “Speed Gun” Could Show If Cholesterol
Therapy Is Working
A device that uses laser light to detect blood flow
in the skin may some day be able to simply monitor the effectiveness
of cholesterol-lowering therapy, according to a new
study in the July 2 issue of the Journal of the American
College of Cardiology (JACC).
In
tests on 19 patients with high cholesterol, researchers at
University Hospital in Zurich and the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire
Vaudois in Lausanne, Switzerland detected improved blood flow
in surface blood vessels after the patients began cholesterol-lowering
statin therapy.
Laser
Doppler flowmetry, according to the research report in JACC,
could become a tool to assess and monitor vascular function
during therapy in daily practice. A summary of the report
is available
online.
Fall
Deadlines Approaching for Award Applicants
The following deadlines are approaching for affiliates interested
in competing for awards:
September
16, 2003
Young Investigators Awards Competition
Finalists for this award are invited to showcase their research
in New Orleans at the 2004 ACC Annual Scientific Session.
Download
the abstract booklet/application.
September
29, 2003
ACCF/Bristol-Myers Squibb Affiliate Travel Awards
Compete to win
an award that covers travel and hotel expenses for ACC
’04, in New Orleans. Attend the fellows-in-training
forum and luncheon, too.
September
30, 2003
ACCF Career Development Awards in Acute Coronary Syndromes,
Arrhythmias, Cardiovascular Disease, Heart Disease Prevention,
and Hypertension and Peripheral Vascular Disease
Five awards support
the research of junior faculty for one year.
November
1, 2003
ACCF/Merck Adult Cardiology Research Fellowship Awards
Six awards
support one year of advanced research fellowship training
in adult cardiology.
December
1, 2003
ACCF/Pfizer Post Doctoral Fellowship in Cardiovascular
Medicine
Two awards
support junior physician-scientists for three years of research
in cardiovascular medicine.
Scholarships
Available for Abrams/Pasternak CME Program
Program scholarships, each worth $1,000, will go
to fellows-in-training who attend the ACCF Learning Center
program, “Implementing
Coronary Risk Factor Modification: Why, How, and in Whom?”
Directed by Jonathan Abrams, MD, and Richard C. Pasternak,
MD, the program will be presented Sept. 15–17 in Seattle
to provide the tools, strategies, and skills physicians in
training need to influence and facilitate preventive cardiology.
Merck
& Co., Inc. has donated 15 program scholarships and Pfizer
Inc has donated 15 program scholarships. Each scholarship
covers an A-I-T’s registration fee ($695) and travel
expenses (up to $305). (Program scholarships must not be used
in conjunction with grants or discounted registrations.) Click
here for more information.
ACC
’03 Survey Indicates A-I-T Approval
A survey of fellows-in-training at the end of ACC ’03
showed that most A-I-Ts were pleased they had come to Chicago
for the College’s Annual Scientific Session. Among the
top-rated features of attendance at the Focus on Fellows program
were meeting College leaders, the session on career decisions,
and the session on financial matters. More than half of the
attendees (55%) stated they were “very satisfied”
with the program. Fully 100 percent responded they would recommend
the session to a colleague.
Areas
of interest proposed by A-I-Ts for future programming included:
- How
to grow from within the ACC;
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Tax advice for physicians in training; and
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Private practice vs. an academic career.
Job
Opportunities
Seeking that perfect job? Check out the wide selection of
job opportunities
available for cardiologists throughout the United States.
Affiliates-in-Training
is a product of the Marketing and Communications Division
of the American College of Cardiology. Questions or
comments regarding this publication should be directed
to AITeditor@acc.org.
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