In an effort to better inform family physicians about neurosurgical practice, The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) co-sponsored a special neurosurgery exhibit at the 1996 Annual Scientific Assembly of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), which was held October 3-5 in New Orleans. This project marked the first time that organized neurosurgery participated in such Pan outreach effort to other medical professionals.
The exhibit had as its mission to increase awareness of the scope of neurosurgical practice with family physicians, who frequently serve as managed care gatekeepers. The objectives were to reinforce neurosurgeons’ expertise in spine care and stroke management.
Booth Design and Promotion
The exhibit concept, message and handout materials were developed with input from the Joint Section on the Spine and Peripheral Nerves, Carotid Endarterectomy Task Force II, and the Subcommittee for Continuing CME for Non-Neurosurgeons. The exhibit featured signage that highlighted the following:
- The scope of neurosurgical practice.
- The neurosurgeon’s role in management of patients with low back pain.
- An update on acute stroke management, including the latest data on carotid endarterectomy.
- Information about the Brain Attack education initiative.
In addition to securing an excellent location within the exhibit hall, special efforts were made to encourage booth visits by meeting attendees. These efforts included:
Displaying a computerized self-paced spine learning module on a PC. - Offering a variety of free informational materials on spine and stroke-related topics.
- Making a charitable donation to the AAFP humanitarian program “Feed the Need.” Exhibitors who contributed to this cause received recognition through an Honor Roll listing in the on-site and post-convention issues of the FP Report. They also had their names listed in the slide shows between lectures in the main assembly hall, received counter cards for their exhibits and special badge ribbons for exhibit personnel. Neurosurgery’s donation went to support the Louisiana State University Student Clinics, which are run by medical students, family physicians and pediatricians donating their time to treat home-less patients in the New Orleans area.
- Distributing several “giveaway” items, including a key chain attached to a model of a spinal column. (This item turned out to be a big traffic builder and much in demand!)
- Running a display ad in the convention newspaper, FP Report.
Neurosurgeon Participation
Three neurosurgeons volunteered to help design messages for the display itself and to staff the booth during the meeting. Warren Selman, MD, of Cleveland, Ohio, helped prepare the carotid endarterectomy portion of the exhibit and was present in the booth for two days. Thomas Flynn, MD, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, spent an afternoon in the booth. Lloyd Zucker, MD, of Boca Raton, Florida, not only developed hand-out materials and the computerized, self-guided, learning module on spine care for family physicians, but he also went to New Orleans to help set up and staff the booth for four days.
In addition to speaking with family physicians, AANS/CNS volunteers also took the opportunity to meet with representatives of other specialty organizations who were exhibiting, learning about their public information efforts.
Booth Response
Overall, the exhibit was well-received by family physicians. In fact, an AAFP Board member stopped by the booth to personally thank the neurosurgeons for participating in the meeting. Most gratifying of all, many attendees stopped by the booth to consult with the neurosurgeons, discussing specific cases or asking questions about the latest in neurosurgical treatments.
Based on the number of handouts and promotional items distributed, it is estimated approximately 500 family physicians visited the booth during the three days the exhibit hall was open. As a result of the stroke-related material on display, two requests for Brain Attack presentations by neurosurgeons were received.
What Family Physicians Said
Three primary comments were heard from family physicians visiting the neurosurgery booth:
1. Why are neurosurgeons at this meeting? (Dr. Zucker’s response: “Because you see patients with back pain, neck pain, carpal tunnel, and stroke and they’re our patients too. Most of all, we’re here because we want to enhance our communication with family physicians.”)
2. We want referral guidelines from neurosurgeons. (Family physician comment: “I need to know more about back pain and when it’s appropriate to refer my patient for specialty care.”)
3. We want closer working relationships with neurosurgeons. (Family physician comment: “I can’t get the neurosurgeon at my hospital to return my calls. Sometimes I need a consult and can’t get it, or I refer my patient to a neuro-surgeon and don’t get any feedback about the care he’s given my patient.”)
Continued Participation
The neurosurgeons who worked on the exhibit project stated they felt it was a worthwhile effort and recommended continued participation in the AAFP assembly. In November, the AANS Board of Directors approved continued funding for the exhibit and the display is set to appear at 1997 AAFP meeting next September in Chicago.
To amplify neurosurgery’s presence at the AAFP meeting, efforts are underway to place several neurosurgeons as speakers on the scientific program. Presentations that have been proposed would focus on stroke and management of spine disorders. In addition, work is underway on the development of spine and carotid endarterectomy referral guidelines, which could be distributed through the neurosurgery booth at the AAFP meeting.