For the third consecutive year the annual dues for membership in the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) have been held steady. Yet as in other sectors of society, costs of bringing products and services to members continue to increase.
“Economizing and developing non-dues revenue streams as outlined in the AANS Strategic Plan are principles that continue to guide the AANS’ long-range planning as well as day-to-day activities,” said Thomas A. Marshall, AANS executive director. “Because negotiating the competing interests of such relationships is not always a simple matter, guidelines for interactions with corporate partners are under development with the intent of helping neurosurgeons navigate this new landscape successfully and confidently.”
Early this year AANS President Robert A. Ratcheson, MD, appointed a taskforce, led by Jon Robertson, MD, to draft such guidelines for the Executive Committee’s review this summer. Taskforce members are Steven L. Giannotta, MD; Charles J. Hodge, MD; L.N. Hopkins, MD; Paul C. McCormick, MD; James T. Rutka, MD; Thomas A. Marshall, AANS executive director; and Michele S. Gregory, director of development.
Because the potential pitfalls of every situation cannot be foreseen, the guidelines are intended to act as a compass, with “North” defined as the AANS mission: To advance the specialty and serve as the spokesorganization for all practitioners of the specialty of neurosurgery, in order to provide the highest quality of care to patients.
New Guidelines Are in Good Company
The forthcoming guidelines governing relationships with industry join those already in place in various AANS areas.
The AANS Board of Directors, committee chairs and committee members, all course faculty, and AANS management are required to file signed disclosure statements annually. The disclosure statements are intended to ensure that the decisions and actions of AANS representatives are not unduly influenced by any special interests of individual members or employees.
Those submitting abstracts for AANS meetings or papers for AANS journals have long been asked to disclose financial interests or other relationships that might have bearing on their research. Exhibitors likewise are asked to ensure that the display and demonstration of products and services is for the advancement of the art and science of neurosurgery; they also must abide by a set of rules and regulations set forth in the exhibit prospectus.