Innovating Pain Care: Building Brands, Advancing Medicine

The new year provides an opportunity to review some of the recent ASPN-led publications recently published through the Journal of Pain Research. One of the publications that is currently in review involves responsible use of the artificial intelligence (AI) application in the field of medicine. The topic is increasingly germane to the medical field with AI advancement occurring with increased speed and volatility. This brings into question concerns regarding the responsible implementation and use of AI, as well as implications to the future of diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Similarly, Giuffrida et al. recently published NEURON Guidance on Social Media for Healthcare Professionals. The authors provided a comprehensive review on ethical and legal implications for use of social media within medicine. Furthermore, they detailed appropriate use of social media, to advance both the field of interventional and surgical spine.

Wahezi et al. published survey results on Employer Perspective on Pain Fellowship Education. This study was performed by ASPN members in collaboration with several other national professional pain societies, including the AAPM, ASIPP, and NANS. The survey aimed to gather insights from employers from a diverse range of geographic locations, practice types (academic and private practice), and practice settings. Most survey respondents reported a need for additional training and experience beyond what is offered during the one-year ACGME-approved fellowship. Professionalism and basic interventional skills were identified as the highest valued attributes of pain physician candidates by potential employers. Employers rated spinal cord stimulator (SCS) trials as the most important advanced procedure for trainees to learn. Other advanced procedures such as SCS implants, PNS implants, interspinous spacers, and percutaneous procedures involving the vertebral body were also rated as either very important or somewhat important by most respondents. As a result of the survey, ASPN is presently developing their own curriculum to address the growing need for advanced procedural education and training.

In the most recent addition to the NEURON Project, Pope et al. published a comprehensive review of data on Closed-Loop Controlled Spinal Cord Stimulation (CL-SCS). Published randomized controlled trials on CL-SCS include the double-blinded EVOKE study, with publications at 12, 24, and 36 months; and the open-label AVALON study, with publication at 12 and 24 months. Additionally, there have been non-randomized prospective studies, the most recent which included a study on the immediate patient-reported and neurophysiologic treatment response post-physiologic CL-SCS. Based on available literature, the authors published a series of consensus statements on CL-SCS and provide guidance on future applications of CL-SCS as well as gaps in research that currently exist.

NEURON Projects are still presently in the works. We encourage all ASPN members to sign up for email updates for the most up-to-date publications in the Journal of Pain Research.

References:

Pope JE, Deer TR, Sayed D, Antony AB, Bhandal HS, Calodney AK, Chakravarthy K, Costandi S, Diep J, Durbhakula S, Fishman MA, Gilligan C, Goree JH, Guirguis M, Hagedorn JM, Hunter CW, Kallewaard JW, Kapural L, Lam CM, Li S, Mayrsohn B, Nijhuis H, Nikolic S, Petersen EA, Poree LR, Puri SK, Reece DE, Rosen SM, Russo MA, Shah JM, Staats PS, Verrills P, Vu CM, Levy RM, Mekhail N. The American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN) Guidelines and Consensus on the Definition, Current Evidence, Clinical Use and Future Applications for Physiologic Closed-Loop Controlled Neuromodulation in Chronic Pain: A NEURON Group Project. J Pain Res. 2025;18:531-551.

Wahezi SE, Yener U, Naeimi T, Choi H, Eshraghi Y, Pritzlaff SG, Emerick T, Hunter CW, Caparo M, Schatman ME, Ahadian F, Argoff C, Deer T, Sayed D, Day M, Abd-Elsayed A, Lo Bianco G. Employer Perspective on Pain Fellowship Education: A Survey to Understand the Current State of Pain Medicine Training. J Pain Res. 2024;17:4573-4582.

Giuffrida A, Saia-Owenby C, Andriano C, Beall D, Bailey-Classen A, Buchanan P, Budwany R, Desai MJ, Comer A, Dudas A, Tieppo Francio V, Grace W, Gill B, Grunch B, Goldblum A, Garcia RA, Lee DW, Lavender C, Lawandy M, Mandell L, Mata R, Rabii M, Patel K, Patel RG, Patel AA, Sayed D, Singh G, Strand N, Tate J, Schatman ME, Deer T. Social Media Behavior Guidelines for Healthcare Professionals: An American Society of Pain and Neuroscience NEURON Project. J Pain Res. 2024;17:3587-3599.

Join the 2025 ASPN Annual Meeting—Advancing Pain and Neuroscience Together

As the weather warms and winter holidays are in the rearview mirror, we are reminded and encouraged of the coming spring and summer. Even more, another exciting opportunity to collaborate is on the horizon in July with the 2025 American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN) Annual Meeting.

For those of us who attended, the 2024 Annual Meeting was a smashing success. “Building Bridges to Better Healthcare” was our mantra, and a multifaceted program certainly delivered the promise of this theme.

With the theme, “Embracing Disruption, Driving Innovation,” ASPN is excited to welcome clinicians, researchers, and industry leaders to the 2025 ASPN Annual Meeting on July 17–20, once again a premier gathering dedicated to innovation, collaboration, and education in pain management and neuroscience.

This highly anticipated event will take place once again at the Fontainebleau, and it will bring together top experts to discuss cutting-edge treatments, breakthrough research, and the future of pain medicine. Attendees will have access to world-class keynote speakers, hands-on workshops, and the latest advancements in interventional pain techniques, neuromodulation, and regenerative medicine.

Beyond the educational sessions, the ASPN Annual Meeting fosters invaluable networking opportunities, allowing attendees to connect with thought leaders, industry partners, and colleagues who share a passion for improving patient care. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or a rising star in the field, this conference offers unparalleled insights and inspiration.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the next wave of innovation in pain and neuroscience. Register today and join us in shaping the future of pain management!

The glitz and glamour of awards season, from the Grammys to the Oscars, may seem distant from our daily lives. Yet, these spectacles reflect a fundamental human need: to acknowledge and celebrate achievement.

While we celebrate others, awards season also offers a valuable lesson in self-recognition. Just as these events highlight extraordinary feats, they subtly encourage us to take stock of our own accomplishments, both big and small. We often focus on future goals, but acknowledging our progress—even in incremental steps—is crucial for maintaining motivation and self-esteem.

A 2020 study found that intrinsic motivation is better maintained for those who track incremental progress. We can expect this to be especially true in demanding professions like surgery and interventional pain.

Think about the last time you successfully completed a complex, involved procedure. While the patient’s well-being is the ultimate reward, you also deserve to acknowledge the skill, focus, and years of training that you contributed to the positive outcome. Did you pioneer a new technique? Navigate unexpected complications with composure? Simply execute a challenging procedure flawlessly? These are all worthy of recognition, even if the accomplishment isn’t broadcast on national television.

Perhaps it’s a quiet moment of reflection, a shared word with colleagues, or simply the satisfaction of a job well done. These small acts of self-acknowledgment fuel future success and contribute to our confidence in the operating room and beyond.

This principle extends to appreciating the accomplishments of those around us. Imagine our clinical teams: the dedicated X-ray technologist who always gets the views just right, the scrub tech who anticipates the next instrument you will need, the anesthesiologist who maintains the patient’s vital signs, the resident or fellow who diligently assists with every step. Add to this our teams in the office who ensure smooth, compassionate patient experiences.

A simple “thank you” or a specific acknowledgment of their contribution can have a profound impact. “Your quick thinking during that unexpected moment saved the day,” or “I really appreciate your precision in prepping the instruments,” can boost morale and foster a strong team dynamic. These small acts of recognition mirror the grand gestures of awards ceremonies, creating a positive and supportive environment where everyone feels valued.

Just as awards celebrate extraordinary achievements, we can recognize the everyday contributions that make our workplaces and communities thrive. Perhaps a seasoned clinician mentors a junior doctor, sharing their expertise and fostering the next generation of medical professionals. Or a hospital administrator streamlines a process, improving patient care and efficiency. These actions, while not always glamorous, are essential for the smooth functioning of any organization.

By acknowledging the value of others, and by extension, our own value, we not only make them feel seen and appreciated but also contribute to a more supportive and harmonious world. Recognizing our own progress empowers us to celebrate the successes of others genuinely. Appreciation, both for ourselves and others, helps make our world a better place through small, positive actions.

This appreciation extends to my colleagues and friends at ASPN. I am honored to serve as your president. I and our ASPN Board are witnessing the inspiring efforts you contribute to making ASPN a singularly excellent society. From the dedicated volunteers on our committees to the faculty participants in our meetings and webinars, and the contributors to new programs, your collective dedication is invaluable.

I would be remiss not to specifically acknowledge VP of Social Media, Anthony Giuffrida, who leads our communications team, VP of Regulatory/Advocacy, Hemant Kalia, who has been instrumental in crafting strategy to maintain patient access to pain procedures, and our Clinical Affairs VPs, Kas Amirdelfan and David Lee, whose year-round efforts ensure the Annual Meeting programs are innovative and educational. Their commitment, and that of so many others, is truly appreciated.

Let us continue to celebrate both our individual and collective achievements, fostering a culture of recognition that strengthens our community and inspires us all. For it is in acknowledging the value of every contribution, big or small, that we truly elevate ourselves and the work we do.