These programs address the diverse learning needs of the multidisciplinary membership in their care of patients with spinal disorders and improve their ability to assess treatment options, critique and evaluate new scientific developments and their effect on spine care. Development of individual activities on the topic of spine treatment is done through a series of needs assessments of the membership, educational program participants, and other spine care providers in the field.
NASS encourages any health care professional with an abiding interest in spine care, including physicians, allied health providers, medical researchers, and scientists from North America and abroad to participate in its activities.
The NASS CME program offers a wide range of activities, all based on adult-learning principles, to allow for different learning styles, taking into consideration the expected outcomes of each activity. The program provides didactic forums, utilizing audience participation; hands-on surgical technique workshops, focusing on new technologies and controversial issues in spine care; collaborative education with other societies; and multi-media offerings.
The overall education program is intended to improve physician and other spine care provider competence and enhance performance relative to patient care. NASS is committed to assessing the effectiveness of its CME program, and employs assessment methods to evaluate the extent to which CME activities result in changes through implementation of new techniques, research and concepts learned during an activity. Verification of stipulated expectations and measurement tools takes place through careful review by the Continuing Medical Education Committee.