What is the International Directory of Spinecare Products?
The International Directory of Spinecare Products was developed through the cooperative efforts of the American Academy of Spine Physicans (AASP) and the International Spine Association (ISA). The directory was developed to provide a comprehensive online guide for healthcare professionals, patients and the public to locate products that promote spine health.

Who can place a listing on the International Directory?
Any company which provides products and/or services which are used for spinecare or which promote spine health. This includes products and service which are made available to physicians, patients and the public.

What is the cost of listing on the International Directory?
The cost is 600.00 per year. For the same fee each company has the option of being listed on two additional directories; the AASP Buying Advantage Directory and the ISA Buying Advantage Directory. This choice is made at the time of applicant.

Who is the American Academy of Spine Physicans?
The American Academy of Spine Physicians is a national organization comprised of healthcare professionals dedicated to excellence in spinecare. The AASP promotes integrated and evidence based spinecare. The Academy provides educational opportunities and resources for physicians and their patients. It has members of various disciplines including chiropractic physicians, pain management specialists, orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons. The AASP is one of fastest growing organizations of its kind. It represents one of the most influential professional organizations in the spinecare field. The Academy Council includes some of the most prestigious spinecare specialists in the world today.

Who is the International Spine Association?
The International Spine Association (ISA) is an organization comprised of International Divisions representing countries on six continents. The primary Mission of the International Spine Association is to improve the quality of spinecare throughout the world through education. The ISA is committed to disseminating need-to-know information through the World Wide Web in numerous languages covering many topics related to the spine including information about spine disorders, spine health, advances in technology and available spinecare. The ISA also provides information about Spine Organizations. The ISA has one of the largest online searchable databases of information about the spine. The American Academy of Spine Physicians (AASP), a highly respected organization is one of the greatest contributors of information to the ISA.

Is the ISA and the AASP the same entity?
No. The American Academy of Spine Physicans (AASP) and the International Spine Association (ISA) are two distinct and separate organizations. The AASP and the ISA collaborate on numerous projects including the development and management of the International Directory of Spinecare Products.

If I find an item I would like to purchase on the International Directory can I take advantage of a "special offer" for members of the AASP or the ISA? No. Not unless you are an active member of either organization. If you are a physician or healthcare practitioner you can go to the AASP website and apply for membership. Upon receipt of membership approval you would be immediately eligible for "special offers" made through AASP Buying Advantage Program. If you are not a healthcare professional (Public) you may go to the ISA website and apply for membership . Upon approval you would be immediately eligible to obtain "special offers" made through the ISA Buying Advantage Program.

What is the Buying Advantage Program?
The Buying Advantage Program was developed by the American Academy of Spine Physicans (AASP) to help bridge the gap between companies which serve the spinecare field and spine specialists who are members of the AASP. It provides an opportunity for participating companies to introduce products and services to members. Participating companies are required to provide a "special offer" to AASP members. This may involve a discount, educational resources and/or other opportunities. The program was recently expanded to include the International Spine Assoction (ISA). Members of the Buying Advantage Progam have the option of a listing on the ISA Buying Advantage Directory which exposes their products and/or services to the public.

What is the benefit of exposing products to healthcare professionals and the public?
Exposure to patients and the general public raises the level of expectation patients have for their physican and other members of their spinecare team. Through education patients become better informed and more aware of their spinecare options and the ability to care for themselves.

Does participation in the AASP Buying Advantage Progam constitute a product or service endorsement by the AASP?
No. Companies are invited to participate in the program by the AASP because of their reputation in the spinecare field. This invitation and the commitment to participate does not constitute a specific product endorsement or service endorsement. The program was developed to introduce available products and services to AASP members. Companies do have an opportunity to apply for an AASP endorsement. This requires a separate application process.

Does the AASP share in the profits realized from the sale of products or services through the International Directory of Spinecare Products.
No. The only revenue the AASP receives through the Directory is the annual fee of $ 600 paid each year by each participating company. This fee is not dependent on sales.

What if I have difficulty obtaining the desired products or services?
Contact the participating company directly listed on the Internal Directory. Neither the AASP or the ISA plays any role in the order and/or delivery process.

As a member of the AASP, how do I access the AASP Buying Advantage Program?
Go to the AASP website at spinephysicians.org and log into the member area with your unique user ID and PIN. From the member area homepage, click through to the Buying Advantage Program.

As a member of the ISA, how do I access the ISA Buying Advantage Program?
Go to the ISA website at www.spineinformation.org and log into the member area with your unique user ID and PIN. From the member area homepage, click through to the Buying Advantage Program.

Does the AASP have control over who participates in the Buying Advantage Program?
Yes. The AASP must approve a company's application prior to allowing participation. If a company does not conduct business in a professional manner, they may be prohibited from ongoing participating in the program. If they are removed from the AASP Buying Advantage Progam the company listing will also be removed from the International Directory.

Does a company have to have a website in order to participate in the Buying Advantage Program or to be listed on the International Directory of Spinecare products?

No, although the AASP does recommend that companies link a website to their Buying Advantage Directory listings.

If I join the Buying Advantage Progam, what directories will I be listed on?
For the annual fee of $600 you are entitled to be listed on the following three online product/service directories.

AASP Buying Advantage Directory which provides exposure to healthcare professionals who are members of the American Academy of Spine Physicans. o ISA Buying Advantage Directory which provides exposure to the public who are members of the International Spine Association. o International Directory of Spinecare Products which provides exposure to healthcare professionals, companies and the public, worldwide, who may or may not be members of a spine organization.

Does my company have to be listed on all of the Directories?
No. If you wish to limit visibility or if you do not sell products directly to the public you can chose to be excluded from a particular directory. This directive is taken care of on the application process. You can chose to maximize visibility on all of the directories with posting of a statement acknowledging that you d not sell directly to the public.

How do I apply for participation in the Buying Advantage Program?
You can obtain an application form online at one of three locations. You can go to the website of the American Academy of Spine Physicians (AASP) at spinephysicians.org, to the website of the International Spine Association (ISA) at www.spineinformation.org or you can go directly to the International Directory of Spinecare Products at www.spinecareproducts.org. The application can be completed online or downloaded and sent by fax or regular mail. The application is then received by the AASP.