CME Certificates for 2009 and the January’s Knee Dislocation webinar have been processed. If you attended the entire webinar and filled out the evaluation, you will receive 2 CME units per webinar. The certificates have been posted for download on your VuMedi Profile, see the My Account tab at the top of the site or visit this link directly: http://www.vumedi.com/user.

Last month we launched a completely new website.  Many of the features were “under-the-hood”.  These new hidden features have enabled the next generation of innovation onVuMedi.

Innovation happens incrementally, the redesign of our homepage is the first of many incremental changes to come.  We’ve also changed and improved the navigation.  Gone is the static sidebar with limited content.  Navigation menu is now found right under the top VuMedi bar.  The content is much more focused around how you use the site.  Major headings have drop-down menus to help you get to the videos you want faster.

Please let send your feedback via the comments below.

Someone told me that to make an effective point you need to practice more and speak less.

On November 12/13th the FDA will hold a public hearing on the impact of social media on healthcare. There has an incredible response to the FDA to attend, and I’m very excited that VuMedi has been selected as a presenter. I will present at 11:15 on Thursday 12th November, in the middle of a packed first day.

Of course I have a specific point of view, VuMedi is a social media website with a lot of anecdotes and real use data. I want to bring the point of view of the surgeons using VuMedi to the FDA. To let the FDA know how surgeons use VuMedi and how VuMedi is helping to shape the decisions being made. Its going to be hard to practice enough to get all this information into 15 minutes on the 12th!

To see more about this meeting: www.fdasm.com. If you’re a Twitter user you can read more here: #fdasm on Twitter

If you’ve got points of interest for me to share, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly or through the comments below.

Today we launched a new version of VuMedi. Check it out: http://www.vumedi.com

The new site has higher quality video streaming, adding images to comments, faster page loading, and much more.

Let us know what you think in the comments below.

We have compiled these best practices based on studying the highest and lowest rated videos on VuMedi and anecdotal discussions with surgeons in the VuMedi Community. To view a demo for free and easy-to-use software for editing videos and recording narration, click here.

1. Video Length: 8-12 minutes. This can vary depending on the topic.

2. Structure:

• Indications and contraindications
• Examples of pre-op MRI, X-Ray, CT, and/or physical exam
• Describe technique in full
• Post-op MRI, X-Ray, and/or physical exam, as available
• Conclude with any relevant clinical results

3. Use the narration to teach concepts in addition to describing the technique. Explain your rationale for using the technique and the advantages and relevance of your technique.

4. Do not mention brand name products under any circumstances. Any descriptions of products should be very limited, and overall purpose of videos should be technique driven.

We’re pleased to announce a new partnership with Depuy Mitek. Check out their new videos on the Depuy Mitek Brand Channel!

Many surgeons in the VuMedi Community have asked what constitutes a VuMedi Community Video posted by a surgeon versus an Industry Video presented by a company. All industry video are clearly labeled, but couldn’t a company have their consultants post videos instead of having a Brand Channel?

To answer this, we have created a set of Community Video Guidelines to indicate which videos will be accepted in the VuMedi Community. Videos that do not adhere to these guidelines may only be posted in partnership with relevant companies, in an industry Brand Channel. We believe this model creates full transparency, while allowing a greater breadth and variety of educational content on VuMedi. For full disclosure, Industry Brand Channels are paid for by the company and this is how VuMedi is supported.

Community Video Guidelines

1. Community Videos may not have product name and brand name references
2. There can be no logos or branding in the videos.
3. There must be no evidence of orchestration between industry and the contributing surgeon.

What you can do in Community Videos:

1. Products can be described, as long as the manufacturer and product/brand name is not referenced.
2. Rarely, certain product names will be permitted if they are not unique and could be easily substituted based on surgeon preference. For example, referencing the type of suture used would be permitted, referencing the anchor used would not. If you are unsure, always err on the side of not referencing product names.
3. It is acceptable for a VuMedi Industry Partner to help fund or produce a video for VuMedi, as long at it adheres to the VuMedi Community Guidelines.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at contact [at] VuMedi.com. If you want to make videos  in partnership with industry that do not adhere to the Community Video Guidelines, we can help arrange this as well.

We recently launched a new Branch Channel with Arthrocare. You can check out a number of videos and research papers about their rotator cuff products on the Arthrocare Channel.

We’ve created a demo for how to edit videos using Windows Movie Maker. To play this video, click Play in the bottom left hand corner of the video player below.

We recently launched our second industry partnership with Angiotech. You can check out a number of videos and research papers about Quill SRS on the Angiotech Video Channel.