Steven Hwang, MD, is a pediatric neurosurgeon at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia, and council director of NASS’ Evidence Analysis & Research group. Recently, Dr. Hwang took some time to answer questions about his council’s projects and what NASS members should be paying attention to.
What is the most important work your council is pursuing right now, and why does it matter to NASS members?
We have several projects but the largest is probably our clinical practice guidelines. We are transitioning to a new methodology for our guidelines and training our volunteers as we develop new projects. We have also started a guideline for cervical myelopathy. These guidelines will provide our members with updated synthesis of available data to help them decide how to manage patients.
What’s changing in Evidence Analysis & Research that members should be paying attention to?
As mentioned above, we are transitioning guideline methodology towards the GRADE process and also trying to collaborate with other societies more closely.
Where do you see the biggest opportunity or challenge in spine care over the next year?
I think how to integrate AI into health care will be an ever-present question. From patients asking AI for answers and then bringing those to physicians as well as how practices are using it and even insurers.
What’s one area of your council’s work that you wish people were more aware of?
I think the appropriate use criteria (AUCs) that complement the guidelines and the work from our safety committee. The AUCs help provide physicians with guidance when guidelines may not have a clear answer, and the safety committee is doing some great work looking at radiation safety.
What accomplishments from the past year are you most proud of — and what impact has it had?
The research committee is in the process of reviewing grant applications and will be distributing awards later this year to help researchers advance our understanding in spine care.
How can members engage with or benefit from your council’s work in the coming year?
We are always looking for new volunteers so please sign up for our committees and watch for our publications as they come out.
Bonus question: How did you become interested in Evidence Analysis & Research, and how has that involvement impacted your own personal practice?
I was very interested in the guidelines and learning how to critically appraise literature. I started taking the classes and then really enjoyed the process of developing guidelines.