Physician FAQs
PHYSICIAN FAQs
Why should I join the AASP if I already have a working relationship with a spinecare professional?
To increase your exposure to other physicians and spinecare specialists who may wish to develop a referral relationship with you. In additional you will receive numerous member benefits, which include access to affordable flexible continuing educational opportunities with the option to achieve credentialing with the AASP (Diplomate; Fellow).
If I join the organization, will it help grow my practice?
Yes, if you use the member resources available.
How does the cost of annual membership with the AASP compare to other organizations?
The cost of other organizations typically range from $400 to $1,200 per year versusthe $250 for the annual AASP membership.
Will belonging to the organization help me obtain staff privileges within a healthcare system, hospital or medical facility?
It should help. Membership with this organization demonstrates a commitment to excellence in cooperative spinecare. Credentialing with AASP will reflect your commitment to continuing education and provide the insights required to collaborate with other healthcare providers of all disciplines.
Will I receive patient referrals from the AASP?
One of the goals of the AASP is to enhance the recognition and role of members in their community and within the broader healthcare community. The academy provides many resources and tools which can be used to develop a spinecare referral network and to educate the public. This includes a full page profile on the International Directory of Spinecare Professionals, a highly visible online directory. If an individual contacts the AASP for a referral, we will refer them to the directory.
Does the American Academy of Spine Physicians (AASP) award any designation to physicians for participation in continuing education opportunities through the organization?
Yes. The academy presently offers physicians Diplomate status with the American Academy of Spine Physicians (DAASP) and Fellow status with the American College of Spine Physicians (FACSP) in recognition for reaching defined levels of academic achievement.
Does the American Academy of Spine Physicians (AASP) award any designation to non-physicians for participation in continuing education opportunities through the organization?
Yes. The academy presently offers non-physician members Fellow status with the American College of Spine Specialists (FACSS) in recognition for reaching defined levels of academic achievement.
How will the physician with a Diplomate or Fellow status awarded by the AASP be recognized?
The physician member who achieves a credentialed status (Diplomate/Fellow) with the academy will receive a prestigious certificate suitable for framing and a personalized press release honoring their achievement. In addition they will be granted the privilege to use the respective letter designations after their name on all professional documents and correspondence during the course of their practice. Those who achieve Diplomate status with the American Academy of Spine Physicians can use the designation DAASP and those who achieve Fellow status with the American College of Spine Physicians can use the designation FACSP. The credentialed status will also be acknowledged on the members profile page of the International Directory of Spinecare Professionals.
How will the non-physician with a Fellow status awarded by the American College of Spine Specialist (ACSS) be recognized?
The non-physician member who achieves credentialed status (Fellow) with the American College of Spine Specialists will receive a prestigious certificate suitable for framing and a personalized press release honoring their achievement. In addition they will be granted the privilege to use the respective letter designation (FACSS) after their name on all professional documents and correspondence during the course of their practice. The credentialed status also will be acknowledged on the member's profile page of the International Directory of Spinecare Professionals.
Do I have to maintain an active membership with the AASP to apply continuing education credits towards a Diplomate or Fellow status?
No.
Is the membership fee for a calendar year or for one-year from the time I join?
AASP membership is for a term of one year beginning at the time of acceptance. You can go to the member profile to check your renewal date at any time.
Will there be a membership renewal fee?
Yes. Membership with the AASP must be renewed each year. Go to the member renewal area of the member dashboard for additional information.
Can I arrange to have an automatic withdrawal from my credit card or account for annual renewal to prevent my membership from lapsing?
Yes.
Does the AASP accept credit cards?
Yes. We presently accept Visa and MasterCard
Does membership in this organization require me to make referrals to other members?
No.
Will the organization provide therapeutic recommendations?
The organization will not provide therapeutic recommendations to physicians or to the general public. The organization will make available information which may include information about available therapeutic opportunities.
Are AASP continuing education courses approved for a mandatory license renewal CE or CME at the state level?
The AASP provides continuing education credits to spinecare professionals of all eligible disciplines. It is the responsibility of each member to confirm the license renewal requirements with their state organization(s) and/or governing bodies.
Are the continuing educational opportunities through the AASP affordable?
Yes. The AASP has attempted to keep the cost of continuing education down by providing flexible online opportunities. The average cost of credits is low relative to those obtained through a sit-down seminar, particularly, when considering the additional cost of transportation, housing and meals and the lost income from time way from the practice.
Will the AASP help me develop relationships with other healthcare professionals in my geographic area?
Yes. The AASP provides numerous resources, which members can use to help develop interdisciplinary relationships and to develop their own regional spinecare network. For additional information go to Resaons to join on the AASP website.
Will the annual membership fee change each year?
We do not have plans to increase the annual membership fee at this time. The fees may increase in the future to help support additional member services.
Will the AASP be expanding the list of available educational resources?
Yes. The academy is committed to the ongoing development of educational resources. This includes growing the list of available PowerPoint slides, brochures and press releases.
Does the mission of the AASP conflict with the mission of other professional organizations members may belong to?
No. This organization provides resources which can be used to enhance multidisciplinary spinecare.
Does the AASP have any affiliation with managed care or preferred provider organizations?
No.
Will being a member of the organization help me gain access to managed care organizations?
It may help.
How can I become more involved with the American Academy of Spine Physicians?
Contact the AASP Membership Office at (847)697-4660.
Is there more than one category of membership with the AASP?
Yes. There are presently three categories of membership. General membership is reserved for practicing physicians, Affiliate membership is reserved for non-physicians and the Candidate member status is reserved for students/interns/residents in training.
Will the AASP continue to expand educational resources and products for members?
Yes.
As a member of the AASP will I be able to provide input to the Academy Council?
Yes. On the AASP website there is a designated area for contacting the AASP to share concerns or ideas. The academy encourages member contributions and interaction.
Will being a member of the AASP reduce my malpractice risk?
Yes. The application of knowledge gained through continuing education, the cultivation of cooperative interdisciplinary relationships and the making of timely referrals will reduce your exposure to malpractice.
Can I obtain more than one personalized wall certificate?
Yes. Additional certificates can be downloaded through the online member dashboard. There are no fees for additional certificates.
Will my membership in the AASP help me network with local healthcare professionals?
Yes. The AASP provides members with resources, which can be used to develop integrated spinecare teams and referral relationships.
Does the AASP provide online networking resources which are user ready?
The AASP provides numerous networking resources, which include press releases, brochures, introductory letter templates, an "Inform a Colleague" email system with an information link archive, and a profession networking tool referred to as SpineLink (Spinecare360). The SpineLink (Spinecare360) solution offers many of the communication resources and tools of social media sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook.
I belong to a lot of professional organizations already. How is this one different?
This is a unique multidisciplinary organization. The AASP provides members with resources to help develop relationships with other spinecare professionals. Unlike many state and national organizations, the AASP is not designed to prop up and support a single healthcare discipline or specialty. The AASP was developed to help shape the future of spinecare in a manner which promotes collaborative care for the benefit of the patient.
Can candidate members of the American Academy of Spine Physicians take continuing education courses?
Yes.
Can candidate members of the AASP achieve a credentialed status such as Diplomate or Fellow?
No. The candidate member can complete AASP continuing education course and acquire the credits for completion. The credits acquired while in training will not apply toward credentialing. There are certificates of achievement available for candidate members for some continuing education topics. An AASP member must be a graduate licensed to practice in their respective field.
What is the benefit of joining as a candidate member?
The American Academy of Spine Physician (AASP) provides a unique opportunity for the student, intern and resident to begin formulating goals and a plan for practice while in training. New skill and insights can be acquired while still in training. The candidate member can use available member resources to pursue career opportunities and to begin networking with practicing spinecare professionals.
Can an application for AASP membership be completed online?
Yes.
When will I receive a response from my application to the AASP?
The usual turn around time for application processing and review is within several weeks.
Welcome to the Inform a Colleague area of the Academy Website. The American Academy of Spine Physicians (AASP) strives to implement new and more efficient methods for members to communicate with other healthcare professionals. One of the most effective tools is the online "Inform a Colleague" function. This function can be used to expand and educate your spinecare referral network. It also represents a resource to conveniently inform others about trends in spinecare and about offers of organizations such as the American Academy of Spine Physicians (AASP), the International Spine Association (ISA). The link library also contains an application for membership with the AASP.
