The aim of this
Self–Assessment Program is to provide a comprehensive, yet concise overview of the dynamic and rapidly evolving disciplines of adult and pediatric hematology. It is intended for Fellows in training, both as a review and as a resource to prepare for Subspecialty Board Certification. It will also be an ideal reference for the practicing hematologist as an update in the discipline, for acquisition of continuing medical education credit, and for recertification board preparation.
The format includes both pediatric and adult perspectives, with introductory chapters on the molecular and cellular biology foundations of hematology. The major benign and neoplastic disorders as well as stem cell transplantation, transfusion medicine and laboratory haematology are represented in subsequent chapters. A section on consultative haematology synthesizes and integrates the management of patients with blood disorders. Case vignettes within the chapters serve to focus the discussion on issues and applications in clinical practice. Core knowledge is well represented, and every effort has been made to identify recent advances and promising areas of ongoing clinical and basic research. Over 200 case–based, multiple–choice questions with detailed critiques are provided for CME credit and board preparation. An accompanying website provides links to Blood, The ASH Education Program Books and the ASH Image Bank.
Special prices are available for members and trainees. The Self–Assessment Program is offered to American Society of Hematology members for US$250 and trainees for US$200. Those eligible for discount prices must contact customer service at 800–216–2522 or orders@aidcvt.com to order.
European Journal Of Haematology Volume 71 Issue 2 Page 141 – August 2003
doi:10.1034/j.1600–0609.2003.00104.x
Book Review
ASH – SAP, American Society of Hematology Self–Assesment Program
Ole Weis Bjerrum
James N. George, Michael E. Williams. Blackwell Publishing Inc., 1st Edn 2003. ISBN 1–4051–0873–8
Two years ago, the American Society of Hematology (ASH) initiated the development of this educational material. The result includes a textbook, a self–assessment program and access to a website with the full contents of the book and an interactive version of the multiple choice questions. The material succeeds a previous self–assessment test developed by the American College of Physicians. The program is acknowledged as a very valuable CME activity.
The syllabus is a regular textbook of hematology in 16 chapters, covering all aspects of benign and malignant disorders in both pediatric and adult perspectives, and includes sections of stem cell transplantation, transfusion medicine, and consultative hematology. Leading experts, all US–based, present state–of–the–art in each topic, in a very informative and worth reading layout, supported by first–class laboratory illustrations, and instructive algorithms and tables. Each chapter includes text boxes with key points and clinical highlights presented as case stories. The introductory chapter deals with the molecular basis of hematology and comprises a comprehensive glossary. An annotated alphabetical bibliography of updated reviews and original contributions, most from the recent 5 yr, but including some from the past five decades, finish each chapter. The eight–paged index is serviceable.
The other part of the paper–based material covers 198 multiple choice questions and answers, in all disciplines of hematology. Each question is presented as a case history. Some cases includes a paraclinical illustration. Most of the tests includes laboratory data. Some clinical pictures could have been supplied – in the questions or in the textbook. Case stories are an excellent way to make the situation relevant and vivacious – and the cases do represent the daily clinical reality. Each answer is elaborated in a ′critique′ and gives a few references. The questions and answers are separated in the book, a stimulus to try to solve the question before looking up the answer. It may be considered in later versions to state normal ranges for hemoglobin, creatinin, bilirubin, and other parameters in order to make the information more applicable for (junior) readers in countries, where these values are measured on a molar scale. Still, this is a recurrent problem in international literature and do not affect the impression of an out– standing collection of tests for self–assessment. A self–scoring answer sheet may be submitted by mail to ASH headquarters in order to obtain a certificate.
The internet part implies individual registration. It is similar to the paperback material, including comments and references. It also allows direct access to the textbook, to resume the test session and to check results. A certificate can be generated once the 80% pass mark is achieved. Alternatively, the score may be reset allowing a new attempt. In this way it becomes a personal and confidential program. The layout is very clear. In addition, the site provides links to other ASH activities.
The program is intended for fellows in training as well as for the practicing hematologist as an update. The program fulfills the intention. It is very well designed, complete, competent, professional, and pedagogical, and is recommended to all with interest in hematology – also to colleagues in countries without an official recertification program and to medical students with a particular interest in this dynamic discipline. Furthermore, the material may be used in hematological departments as an inspiration or a tool for individual and small–group education, as a platform for discussions and illustrating standards of clinical management.
European Journal Of Haematology
Volume 71 Issue 2 Page 141 – August 2003
British Journal of Haematology
Volume 123 Issue 1 Page 188 – October 2003
doi:10.1046/j.1365–2141.2003.04560.x
Book Reviews
Drew Provan
American Society of Hematology Self–Assessment Program (ASH–SAP), Blackwell Publishing, 2003.
I was very pleased to be able to review this as I knew the program was planned and was keen to see the final result, because the ASH educational materials are generally of high quality and, on account of their rapid publication, contain up–to–date information. ASH–SAP is not cheap at £199, so is it worth the money? There are two books: one is 356 pages containing the text and illustrations, and there is a smaller book (133 pages) containing the self–assessment questions. American physicians can obtain CME credits if they complete the test sheet and mail this off with a cheque to ASH.
The text is large but very succinct covering the whole of haematology through sections devoted to molecular biology, laboratory haematology, general and transfusion medicine as well as extensive coverage of malignant haematology. Specialist haematology such as intensive care is also covered. Unlike the ASH Education Book, the ASH–SAP is produced by Blackwell Publishing and, for that reason, is very professional in appearance. The text is very readable with a nice range of illustrations. The photomicrographs are not of the highest quality, but this is not meant to be an atlas so I do not think that matters. I have to admit I largely read the bits I am interested in but was impressed by the quality of the writing. Each chapter has an annotated bibliography, which gets round the problem of having hundreds of references scattered through the text. I did complete some of the questions and learned from the experience. I am not quite sure how I would find time to complete the whole exercise.
So, all in all, this is a new review–style textbook, but it does not suffer the time delay usually experienced by major multiauthor texts because of the rapid publication time. I think in this era of revalidation and the need to keep up to date, this style of learning and assessment will be most welcomed by senior haematologists but, equally, for the MRCPath examination, this has to be on the bookshelves of our trainees to use alongside the standard texts. Once again, ASH has set a very high standard for haematology education, and I strongly recommend this program.
Drew Provan
