1. AASP COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE THROUGH EDUCATION

The American Academy of Spine Physicians is committed to education. The AASP is dedicated to providing unique and affordable continuing educational opportunities for doctors who care for the spine. Special opportunities are also provided for chiropractic students and neurosurgical residents who are candidate members of the AASP. Emphasis is placed upon providing economical home or office study options, which allows for broad and efficient dissemination of relevant information. Greater educational exposure will reach more physicians thus better serving the public. The Academy's continuing educational programs include the implementation of online opportunities and an array of written and multimedia resources. The AASP supports the concept of jointly sponsoring activities with organizations and educational facilities whose goals are compatible with the goals of the Academy.

Through education of its members and the public, the AASP can help improve the quality of comprehensive spinecare. The AASP is dedicated to using all available methods and technologies to inform its members and the public about trends in spinecare while emphasizing the benefits of conservative and cooperative spinecare.

The AASP continuing educational programs emphasize the anatomy, biomechanics, pathogenesis, diagnosis and care of the full spectrum of spinal disorders, the benefits of cooperative care, methods of early detection of spinal disorders and expanding therapeutic options available through the alliance of chiropractic physicians and neurosurgeons. These educational opportunities will also promote clinical interaction between chiropractic physicians and neurosurgeons which contributes to improved continuity and quality of spine care. The continuing medical education opportunities also encourage personal growth and professional development of chiropractic physicians and neurosurgeons.

The AASP will record the number of continuing medical education credits obtained through the Academy for members. The AASP will award Diplomate status and Fellow status to those AASP members who meet the designated level of educational criteria. The provision of Diplomate or Fellow status with the AASP serves to inform health care professionals and the public of the higher level of education a physician has received through the organization.

The AASP is one of the only organizations of its kind to offer interdisciplinary post-doctoral designations of educational achievement to its members who meet the continuing educational criteria. The highest level of educational distinction offered by the AASP is Fellow status. The neurosurgeon or chiropractic physician who achieves this level of academic achievement will be designated as Fellow of the American College of Spine Physicians.

2. BENEFITS OF OBTAINING CONTINUING EDUCATION THROUGH THE AASP

1. Affordable education.

2. Flexible self study options

3. Reduce time away from the office

4. Choice of specific topics on which to focus.

5. Obtain continuing education in an interdisciplinary forum.

6. Credits obtained through the AASP may be applied towards obtaining Diplomate status with the American Academy of Spine Physicians and Fellow status with the American College of Spine Physicians.

7. Continuing education opportunities which can be applied to continuing education requirements for license renewal in various states

8. Obtain relevant information for providing comprehensive spine care.

9. Obtain information, which will help facilitate interdisciplinary dialoge and clinical interaction thus increasing the potential to serve more patients.

10. Expand your resume/curriculum vitae with significant continuing education topics in clinical and basic spine sciences.

3. CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Journal Review Courses:

Continuing medical education credits can be obtained through the American Academy of Spine Physicians' Journal Review Courses (JRC). You can review articles published in JAASP, JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF SPINE PHYSICIANS available online. After select journal articles there is a bank of test questions. Continuing educational credits are available for reading the articles and completing the assigned test bank with a minimum of 80% proficiency. The number of credits available is listed at the end of each eligible articles or section.

Textbook Review Courses:

The AASP's Textbook Review Courses (TRC) are an outstanding practice resource and provides you with many of the advantages of a seminar in the convenience of your home or office. The TRC format is affordable, effective and precise. You are provided with a comprehensive list of spine related topics to choose from. The list includes the names of textbook and chapter source for the material.

You can now choose topic specific educational coursework based upon your practice needs. The information is carefully chosen by the interdisciplinary educational committee of the AASP. The chosen authoritative texts provide the insight and wisdom of world renowned experts on the spine. The selected combination of materials provides comprehensive coverage of subjects of interest to both chiropractic physicians and neurosurgeons and provides an overview of the spectrum of spinal disorders.

The TRC format also provides you with a unique opportunity to stay ahead in your field and gain a better understanding of the role of health care providers in other spine care related field. You can choose your area of focus and textbook of your choice.

Case Study Review Courses:

The case study review courses (CSRC) refers to an archive of case studies which is posted on the AASP website. Cases can be chosen by topic. Each case study protocol will include the case, an authoritative review (grand rounds) and a bank of test questions. Continuing educational credits can be obtained by successful completion of each case study format.

Symposia:

The American Academy of Spine Physicians may offer periodic symposia. This forum will provide an opportunity to bring together international experts in spine care from the neurosurgical and chiropractic disciplines to present a comprehensive review of spine care These meetings will provide an opportunity for the AASP members and non-member to update their skills and knowledge and earn continuing medical education credits in spine care. Symposia will be posted on the AASP website as spinephysicians.org.

4. SPECIAL APPLICATIONS FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS

License Renewal: Many states require that practicing physicians obtain a specific number of continuing education credits. The American Academy of Spine Physicians provides Category I and Category II Continuing Educational opportunities online. Home study courses are available with at home testing as well as online testing. The continuing educational requirements for physicians differs from state to state, the AASP member must confirm with their respective state organization the eligibility of the AASP online programs.

Credentialing: The AASP credentialing process provides recognition to individual spine physicians for achieving a high level of continuing education and demonstrating an ongoing interest in improving their capacities to provide or coordinate comprehensive spine care. Becoming a credentialed spine physician requires that individuals fulfill the eligibility criteria, achieve the minimum level of continuing education credits required and receive a passing score on examination. The AASP provides credentialing opportunities as a Diplomate and as a Fellow.

Recognition (Achievement) Awards: The AASP will offer recognition awards for academic achievement for contributing to the AASP educational development or completing a special designated educational opportunity. Such awards will be available to educational institutions that have been supportive to the AASP mission and to AASP members and candidate members.

Candidate Member Recognition (Achievement) Award: Candidate members of the AASP are eligible to obtain Candidate Continuing Education (CCE) credits through online programs. These credits will not apply to Diplomate or Fellow credentialing with the Academy. This program provides a unique opportunity for the candidate to obtain unique clinical insights and develop his or her resume with listing of levels of recognition received through the Academy. This program can be accessed on line by typing SPINE.TV. Some college, university and medical center locations will have a dedicated computer resource station within their library or resource center for student or resident access to the American Academy of Spine Physicians online educational programs.

5. CREDENTIALING WITH THE AASP

The AASP provides acknowledgement of the level of continuing education achieved through the Academy by the designation of Diplomate or Fellow to the member who has met the necessary criteria. Application for credentialing from the American Academy of Spine Physicians is voluntary on the part of physicians who engage in care of the spine and related disorders.

The American Academy of Spine Physicians credentialing process requires the following steps:

• Helps to implement an interdisciplinary Code of Ethics and the AASP Patient Bill of Rights
• Promotes professional accountability, visibility and leadership.
• Identifies those professionals who have chosen to advance their knowledge and raise their professional accomplishments in the spinecare field.
• Advances interdisciplinary cooperation between chiropractic physicians and neurosurgeons.
• Encourages continued professional growth and development.

Levels of Credentialing

The American Academy of Spine Physicians offers two levels of credentialing. The level of credentialing awarded is based upon meeting the designated professional and continuing educational criteria.

1. Diplomate status is awarded to AASP members who have acquired a minimum of 300 continuing education credits through the AASP. The member may then use D.A.A.S.P. after his/her name indicating their status as Diplomate of the American Academy of Spine Physicians.

2. Fellow status with the American College of Spine Physicians is awarded to those physicians who have met the requirements of the Diplomate status and have acquired an additional 200 continuing education credits through the AASP. The member may then use F.A.C.S.P. after his/her name indicating their status as Diplomate of the American College of Spine Physicians.

6. AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SPINE PHYSICIANS

The American College of Spine Physicians is a division of the American Academy of Spine Physicians. The College represents a select group of members of the AASP who have achieved the highest-level continuing education recognized by the AASP. Physicians inducted into the College as a Fellow have achieved a minimum of 500 continuing educational credits through the AASP. After being awarded a Fellow status with the College the physician may use the initials F.A.C.S.P. representing their status as a Fellow of the American College of Spine Physicians.

7. BECOMING CREDENTIAL ELIGIBLE

The first requirement for becoming a credentialed spine physician with the AASP is to become credential eligible. The application to become credential eligible requires completion of the following steps:

1. Meet AASP membership criteria.

2. Be a member of the American Academy of Spine Physicians in good standing.

3. Complete and submit the Credentialing Application Form

4. Submit a copy of state license

5. Submit a non-refundable $100 credentialing application fee made payable to the American

Academy of Spine Physicians

Upon completion of these steps, the application will be forwarded to and reviewed by the Academy's Continuing Education Committee. The Academy reserves the right to request any additional information or clarification required for the completion of the application process. You will be notified by mail regarding the decision of the Continuing Education Committee. Completion of the peer review process may take 2-4 weeks after all of the required application materials have been received by the Academy.

Individuals who have satisfactorily completed the steps necessary for becoming Credential Eligible may begin acquiring continuing educational credits through the Academy.

8. MAINTAINING CREDENTIAL ELIGIBLE STATUS

You may remain Credential Eligible with the AASP for no more than 4 years. During this period you may use the term "credential eligible spine physician." To remain in good standing as Credential Eligible with the AASP you must:

1. Must be a member in good standing of the American Academy of Spine Physicians.

2. Practice in accordance with the American Academy of Spine Physicians Code of Ethics.

3. Practice in accordance with the American Academy of Spine Physicians Patient Bill of Rights.

4. Maintain a current license to practice, if applicable.

5. Remain in good standing with state regulatory agencies and your profession.

6. Meet the continuing education criteria for Diplomate status with 4 years of becoming credential eligible.

9. THE CREDENTIALING PROCESS

1. The applicant must be a member in good standing of the American Academy of Spine Physicians.

2. The applicant must have met all criteria and be credential eligible.

3. To become a Diplomate of the American Academy of Spine Physicians, the applicant must successfully obtain a minimum of 300 continuing education credits through the AASP while maintaining a credential eligible status.

4. To become a Fellow of the American College of Spine Physicians, the applicant must successfully complete the requirements for Diplomate status and acquire an additional 200 hours of continuing education credits through the AASP. Fellow status represents the highest level of academic achievement which can be obtained through the AASP.

10. MAINTAINING AN ACTIVE CREDENTIALED SPINE PHYSICIAN STATUS

To maintain your Credentialed Spine Physician status with the American Academy of Spine Physicians, the following is required.

1. Must be a member in good standing of the American Academy of Spine Physicians.

2. Practice in accordance with the American Academy of Spine Physicians Code of Ethics and the Patient Bill of Rights.

3. Maintain a current licensure to practice, if applicable

4. Remain in good standing with state regulatory agencies and your profession.

5. To maintain an active credentialed status with the AASP will require a minimum of 100 continuing education credits during every four-year period.

11. RECREDENTIALING REQUIREMENTS

Credentialing by the American Academy of Spine Physicians is valid for 4 years. At the end of the fourth year the Credentialed Spine Physician will be re-credentialed if the following requirements are met:

1. Submission of proof of a minimum of 100 continuing education credits through the AASP.

2. Send a copy of current license, if applicable.

3. Remain in good standing with state regulatory agencies and your profession.

12. APPLICATION FOR CREDENTIALING

The application for credentialing with the AASP is a three step process:

Step 1

1. Be a member of the American Academy of Spine Physicians

Step 2

1. Meet the entry requirements of the applicable level of credentialing.

2. Complete all portions of the Application for Credentialing.

3. Submit a copy of current license

4. Submit a non-refundable $100 credentialing application fee made payable to the American Academy of Spine Physicians.

Step 3

1. Be officially designated as Credential Eligible by the Academy.

2. Achieving a passing score on all applicable continuing education tests (proficiency of 80% or better).

3. Obtain continuing education requirements for Diplomate or Fellow Status

Upon completion of the above requirements, you can use the letter designations after your name: Diplomate status with the American Academy of Spine Physicians, the letter designations are D.A.A.S.P.; and Fellow status with the American College of Spine Physicians, the letter designations are F.A.C.S.P.

13. BENFITS AND PRIVELGES OF CREDENTIALING WITH THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF SPINE PHYSICIANS

• The member will be provided with a personalized certificate designating the level of credentialing (Diplomate or Fellow) acquired through the AASP. The certificate is suitable for framing.
• You will be listed as a credentialed spine physicians in the National Registry of Spine Physicians (which includes international members)
• You will have access to the National Registry of spine physicians, a publication of the American Academy of Spine Physicians.
• You will be listed as a member and credentialed spine physician on the American Academy of Spine Physicians web site at https://spinephysicians.org/
• You will be granted the right to use the appropriate letter designations after your name and professional degree. (D.A.A.S.P. for Diplomate of the American Academy of Spine Physicians and F.A.C.S.P. for Fellow of the American College of Spine Physicians).
• You will receive a press release acknowledging your academic achievement and status with the AASP, which can be submitted to local media.
• Your credentialed status will promote professional accountability and visibility through recognition among peers, patients and the healthcare community.
• The credentialed status demonstrates your commitment to providing ethical, interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and cooperative spinecare.