The Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) is an Accredited Council for Continuing Medical Education approved organization which exists to promote, encourage, support and foster through continuing medical education functions, the development and dissemination of knowledge in the discipline of arthroscopic surgery. This is done to improve on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries of the musculo-skeletal system.
The objectives of AANA are met by continually assessing and evaluating the resources needed to implement the mission. The established mechanisms in place to accomplish the mission include a monitored membership process, a membership driven committee structure, the continuous development and refinement of psychomotor skills courses, and ownership, production and distribution of a peer reviewed journal. AANA conducts an annual fall course and an annual spring meeting. AANA has created a research fund from which annual grants are awarded. AANA produces a quarterly newsletter and has developed a Web site to facilitate communications with the membership and the global community.
The official journals of AANA are Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery and Arthroscopy Techniques.
AANA also jointly participates biannually in the Robert W. Metcalf, MD Memorial Meeting which provides 26 hours of continuing medical education for arthroscopic practitioners which providers can use toward their CME. Over sixteen thousand physicians have attended the Metcalf Arthroscopy meeting event since its inception in 1978.