April 2010

Consumers are influenced less by individual physicans and traditional marketing approaches and are turning to national organizations and their healthcare providers for information about spinecare and products which can be used to improve the health of the spine. The American Academy of Spine Physicians (AASP), and the International Spine Association (ISA), like the American Heart Association (AHA), and the American Diabetes Association (ADA), are in a position of influence and, therefore, assume the responsibility to educate the public and members of the healthcare profession about spinecare-related topics. The AASP and the ISA have unified their efforts to improve spinecare.  

The ISA is committed to educating patients, physicians and the public about the spine, spinecare and the role of spine specialists. To accomplish this the ISA brought together a team of graphic artists, computer programmers, medical writers, corporate contributors, and physician consultants to develop and integrate  one of the largest multimedia databases of “need-to-know” information about the spine and spinecare. This is referred to as the online Public Information Center (PIC). The American Academy of Spine Physicians is one of the primary contributors of information to the PIC.  Through this collaborative effort the AASP and the ISA are able to streamline the delivery of evidence-based information to healthcare professionals, professional organizations, medical facilites and the public.  This process will favor the integration and networking of professionals. By working together the AASP and the ISA can deliver information in a consistent fashion to professionals and the public.

Physicians have a responsibility to inform patients about their spine disorder. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to use "Spinecare Information" Rx/Pads to direct their patients to an online Public Information Center (PIC) to access "need-to-know" information about the spine, spine disorders, diagnostic procedures and available spinecare. This will have a positive influence on individual healthcare practices, hospital based programs, centers of excellence, and the health of the health at large.

The unique international alliance between the AASP and the ISA increases public exposure to AASP members who are committed to conservative and cooperative spinecare. This is accomplished in part through profiled listings on the International Directory of Spine Specialists and the National Directory of Spine Physicians. The directory listings prioritize spine specialists who have achieved advanced credentialing through the Academy, Diplomate status (DAASP) with the American Academy of Spine Physicians (AASP), and prestigious Fellow status with the American College of Spine Physicians (FACSP). AASP members will have direct and timely access to educational materials developed by the AASP and the ISA. AASP members can place an active link on their practice website which will drive the public and patients to the ISA and the online Public Information Center (PIC). This seamless link adds depth of information to spine specialists’ practice websites and thus helps integrate the spinecare community.

The AASP and the ISA are committed to facilitating global and community spine health by bringing people and resources together across institutional, geographical and cultural boundaries.