The Spring 2002 issue of the Bulletin, the professional and socioeconomic quarterly magazine published for neurosurgeons by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), is available now.

• "Professing Professional Conduct: AANS Raises the Bar for Expert Testimony" — (cover story, page 7): Intense interest from professional associations and media. A flurry of inquiries from AANS members. Nods of approval from the federal courts, the American Medical Association and others. The subject of this activity is the AANS’ professional conduct program, recently in the spotlight because of two high-profile cases, Austin v. AANS and Lustgarten v. AANS. For more than 20 years the AANS has set forth and upheld a rigorous code of ethics for its members in a program praised as a public service by Chief Justice Richard Posner in a 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision: "This kind of professional self-regulation furthers, rather than impedes, the cause of justice." Read about how the program works and ultimately serves the public good.
  
  
• "A Delicate Balance: Residency Work Hours — Study Continues, Effects of Limits Explored" (page 19): Do long hours and little sleep really negatively affect patient care? A neurosurgical resident reviews research on the topic to this point and brings the perspectives of a resident and neurosurgeon into play as he considers the price that federal regulation imposing limits to resident work hours may exact.
  
  
• Benazir Bhutto and Ray Charles. ("Stars Sparkle in Chicago: The Stage Is Set for the 70th Annual Meeting—Speaking Out", page 30): What do a former prime minister and an R&B legend have to do with neurosurgeons? Both complement the stellar scientific program at the 70th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons in Chicago April 6-11, 2002. Interested in covering the Annual Meeting? For press credentials call the AANS Annual Meeting press room April 8-10 at (312) 949-3201.