Advocacy and Resources

Continued Advocacy

manshowingpainThere are greater than 100 million patients in the US living with chronic pain. In 2011, the Institute of Medicine concluded that there is a “need for a social transformation in the way pain is perceived, judged, and treated.” This resulted in the creation of the PAINS group discussed in Dr. Jason Schwalb’s report. As mentioned, it is essential for us as pain and general neurosurgeons to have a seat at the table. Many in the group were unaware of how effective classic surgery can be for pain complaints, e.g. lumbar decompression for neurogenic claudication. Thus the topics being discussed in the pain community whether it be the role of classic spinal surgery and/or the reclassification of hydrocodone as discussed in Dr. Josh Rosenow’s contribution are pertinent to all neurosurgeons. We will continue to work with our small but passionate section as well as the Washington Committee to be advocates for neurosurgery in policy decisions. We will continue to be active in the Guidelines Committee on far-reaching issues.

Clinical Trials

This is the place where patients, caregivers, physicians are able to see pain clinical trials with the nutshell of what the trial is for. The Pain Section’s hope is to distill pain studies from the “maze” of clinical studies that exist, making it easier to match-make patients in need with clinical trials that may offer new hope.

US National Institute of Health

Clinical Trials in Pain

Clinical Trials in Pain – Intractable

Societies

American Association of Neurological Surgeons

The AANS/CNS Washington Committee develops and promotes organized neurosurgery’s positions on issues affecting the specialty. Through advocacy, policy development, and public relations, the Washington Committee and the Washington Office work vociferously to defend and protect the ability of neurosurgeons to practice medicine freely — and to help ensure the continued advancement of the specialty of neurological surgery.

Congress of Neurological Surgeons

Public Policy and Advocacy issues are critical to the advancement of neurosurgery and to the success of neurosurgical practices worldwide. The Congress of Neurological Surgeons is committed to advocating for neurosurgeons, affiliated specialists and neurosurgical patients’ rights through these avenues:

AANS/CNS Washington Committee
The Washington Committee represents neurosurgical interests in Washington, DC on topics such as coding and reimbursement, medical liability reform, resident work hours, emergency medical services, quality improvement and more.

Council of State Neurosurgical Societies
The Council of State Neurosurgical Societies (CSNS) is a grassroots organization representing neurosurgeons from all 50 states on a variety of socioeconomic issues, and providing guidance and educational resources to the CNS on the topics important to neurosurgeons across America.

The North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS) is dedicated to being the premier organization representing neuromodulation. NANS promotes multidisciplinary collaboration among clinicians, scientists, engineers, and others to advance neuromodulation through education, research, innovation and advocacy. Through these efforts NANS seeks to promote and advance the highest quality patient care.

The American Academy of Pain Management (AAPM) is the medical specialty society representing physicians practicing in the field of pain medicine. As a medical specialty society, the Academy is involved in education, training, advocacy, and research in the specialty of pain medicine.

The practice of pain medicine is multi-disciplinary in approach, incorporating modalities from various specialties to ensure the comprehensive evaluation and treatment of the pain patient. AAPM represents the diverse scope of the field through membership from a variety of origins, including such specialties as anesthesiology, internal medicine, neurology, neurological surgery, orthopedic surgery, physiatry, and psychiatry.