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FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS

Directors of fellowship programs may apply for AANA recognition. Fellowships that are ACGME accredited can be recognized by AANA by applying.  No site visit is required. Recognized fellowships should be of one year duration and meet criteria identified in the application and survey. Programs which have not been ACGME accredited will require a site visit by a member of the Fellowship Committee.  Upon acceptance, they are billed a $800 application fee.  Applications can be obtained from the AANA office. Requests can be made to donna@aana.org.

Individuals interested in applying for fellowship positions should contact the program directly.

AANA is not involved in the placement of fellows.  Those interested in applying for a fellowship should contact the director of the program.

Requirements for AANA Recognition
of an Arthroscopy Fellowship

An arthroscopic surgery fellowship should provide the setting in which the multiple skills required to become a skilled arthroscopic surgeon can be acquired in an efficient manner. Arthroscopic surgery fellowship programs should contribute to the knowledge base of clinical orthopaedics and basic science through research activities. The purpose of formal arthroscopic fellowship training programs is to develop a cadre of well-trained arthroscopic surgeons who can provide patients with high-quality care. The overriding goal of such programs is to improve the overall practice of arthroscopic surgery nationwide.

I. Duration of Training
An arthroscopic fellowship should be at least six months in duration. This period may be part of a larger integrated experience that includes other orthopaedic sub-specialty areas such as sports medicine or adult reconstructive surgery. An arthroscopic Fellow should participate in at least 100 cases during arthroscopic fellowship training.

II. Organization of Fellowship Programs
A. Qualifications of the Program Director
The Fellowship Program Director should be an orthopaedic surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) and is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). The Director should have at least five years of clinical experience in arthroscopy and have done at least 1,000 arthroscopic cases. The Director should carry an average case load of 200 arthroscopic patients per year and demonstrate a high level of educational effectiveness.

B. Responsibilities of the Program Director

1. Arrange for adequate staff, clinical material, educational material, inpatient and outpatient facilities and research facilities.
2. Select Fellows from among qualified candidates.
3. Maintain appropriate documentation of patient care statistics.
4. Periodically assess each Fellow's performance and ensure that he/she meets the eligibility requirements for having completed an accredited orthopaedic residency program.
5. Ensure that the arthroscopy fellowship does not compromise the quality of resident education if it is part of an accredited orthopaedic residency program.
6. May elect to extend the duration of a Fellow's training period so that he/she will achieve sufficient competence in the surgical techniques and clinical practice of arthroscopy.

C. Qualifications of the Teaching Staff

1. Each primary member of the teaching staff should average at least 200 arthroscopic cases per year.
2. Teaching staff should demonstrate a continuing commitment to educational activities such as participation in medical education conferences and clinical or basic research.
3. Teaching staff should be experienced arthroscopists with a strong interest in technological research.
4. The ratio of student to teacher should be no greater than one to one.
5. Overall teaching staff levels should be adequate to foster an appropriate, high-quality educational experience.

III. Eligibility, Selection, Retention, and Dismissal of Fellows

• Candidates for an arthroscopic fellowship should have completed an accredited orthopaedic residency program and be eligible to take the certification exam of the ABOS.
• Selection of Fellows should be done at the discretion of the Program Director and teaching staff. The selection process should include a formal application and a personal interview prior candidate review and final selection.
• An appropriate appeals and due process procedure should be established and accorded any Fellow who is dismissed by the Program Director. This process should be appropriate to the geographic location in which the fellowship program is based.
• Compensation for Fellows should include a stipend determined by local standards. In addition, appropriate vacation and CME time during the fellowship should be allowed. These policies should be established in advance by the Program Director and staff.

IV. Scope of Clinical, Basic Science, and Research Experience

• The academic component of the fellowship should emphasize scholarship, self-instruction, patient care, teaching, development of analytical skills, and surgical judgement. The technical component should ensure that the Fellow develops the ability to perform skillfully the procedures required for arthroscopy practice.
• Clinical problems presented during a training program must be of sufficient variety and volume to afford the Fellow an adequate educational experience, not only in surgical skills but in the diagnostic and judgmental aspects of arthroscopic technique. Each Fellow should participate in a minimum of 300 arthroscopic cases per year, or 150 arthroscopic cases per 6 months of training. Experience should include the management of knee and shoulder cases, as well as, other joint problems.
• While the focus of the educational experience should be arthroscopy, it must also include the opportunity for "open" surgery as indicated, to demonstrate the integration of arthroscopy with all orthopaedic surgery.
• Operating room activities should include supervised, graduated responsibilities such as observation of, assistance in, and performance of surgical procedures.
• The Director and staff should provide direct supervision of the Fellow and his/her fellowship activities. These responsibilities should be conducted in a manner that serves the best interest of both the Fellow and the patient.
• Fellows should be provided with appropriate educational resources including a videotape library, a selection of journals and textbooks relevant to the areas of study, and access to a literature search service for clinical research purposes.
• There must be access to actual or simulated anatomic material for study and the development of appropriate technical skills. The operating room should contain state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, as well as, power and hand equipment for performing arthroscopic surgical techniques.
• The Program Director and teaching staff should hold regular discussions on specific arthroscopic topics with the Fellow.
• An arthroscopy fellowship program must have a research component. The Fellow should learn to design, perform, and interpret research studies. Such a project should lead to a publishable presentation or manuscript. Supervised participation is required, with adequate time and facilities provided for research activity.
• The Fellow should have the opportunity to supervise and participate in teaching.
• Fellows should be provided with reasonable resources and facilities for conducting clinical or basic research. These research activities should be documented.

Program/Fellow Approval
AANA will provide a qualified arthroscopy fellowship program with a document of approval.

Cost
All costs associated with this review are the responsibility of the program being reviewed. These costs would include travel, lodging, reviewer honorarium, and an $800 processing fee.

Download the Core Curriculum here.  

Download the Fellowship Application here.