For more than 30 years, state and regional neurosurgical organizations have been meeting regularly to address socioeconomic issues that affect the practice and delivery of neurosurgical care to patients. These conclaves organized and developed into the present day organization known as the Council of State Neurological Surgeons.
The CSNS consists of elected members, each representing a constituency of 50 neurosurgeons. This full representation of “grass-roots neurosurgery” creates a strong voice that influences policies and decision-making with regard to socioeconomic issues. The CSNS is further enriched by delegates to this organization who are assigned by the parent organizations, namely the AANS and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. Young physicians also play a significant role, as residents are regularly elected to membership.
The CSNS meets twice a year for two days, just prior to the AANS and CNS annual meetings. It is during this time that the standing committees (Communication & Education, Medical Practices, Medico-Legal, Neurotrauma, Reimbursement, Workforce, and Young Physicians) and the ad-hoc committees (Website, Fellowship, Mentoring Program, Editorial/Publication, Leadership Development, and Membership Expansion) meet regularly for reviewing resolutions that can and will affect socioeconomic issues. The committees work on projects that will further identify, enlighten and persuade neurosurgeons to remain ever vigilant about the socioeconomic forces that remain pervasive in their everyday practices. It is the responsibility of the members of CSNS to decide on which committee they shall serve. Selection of committee assignments can be based on the needs of the constituents or the organization that each member represents.
Dr. Alan Scarrow heads the Medico-Legal Committee of the CSNS. He is considered a good choice as a leader for this committee because, besides practicing neurosurgery as a full-time profession, he also holds a law degree. The Medico-Legal Committee has traditionally been a very active committee that deals with the most controversial medical and legal issues facing neurosurgeons. Several members of this committee, drawing on their own experiences, have recently written articles addressing the legal issues faced by neurosurgeons who are owners of ancillary services such as physical therapy units, surgery centers and imaging facilities. These articles were published in the Summer 2007 issue of the AANS Bulletin. Furthermore, this committee is a valuable resource for continuing medical education, generating a large body of self-assessment non-clinical competency questions that focus on medical and legal issues and government oversight and regulations for SANS (Self Assessment in Neurological Surgery) and MOC (Maintenance of Certification).
Mick Perez-Cruet, MD, chair of the CSNS Editorial/Publication Committee, recently interviewed Dr. Scarrow regarding his work with the Medico-Legal Committee. The interview, available at www.csns online.org, outlines in detail how a member of the AANS can become an active member of the committee and contribute to neurosurgeons’ understanding of how law and regulations impact the everyday practice of neurosurgery.
For further information on how the Medico-Legal Committee functions and to view past and future projects of the committee, please go to the CSNS Web site.
Ann R. Stroink, MD, is a member of the Editorial/Publication Committee of
the CSNS,
www.csnsonline.org. The author reported no conflicts for disclosure.