Since 2014, the SpineConnect forum has offered North American Spine Society (NASS) members the ability to share, discuss and debate cases, techniques, and research online. An innovative resource, the website offers academic and clinical collaboration in any place, at any time. Recently, the forum hit the 3,000-post milestone, featuring articles, blogs and comments submitted from over 600 unique contributors.
“Communications is the name of the game and there is no better venue available than SpineConnect to present, discuss and share ideas regarding spinal care,” Michael Klein told the audience at last year’s NASS annual meeting. “NASS has been committed to educating spine care providers since its inception. The SpineConnect venue brings together spine care experts from surgical and nonsurgical disciplines, creating a platform for sharing thoughts regarding diagnoses, as well as treatment protocols, with the primary goal of providing quality care to patients all over the world.”
This year alone, SpineConnect has hosted more than 330 discussions from over 100 individuals. Physicians and spine care providers can connect with colleagues from across the globe in real time, discovering new insights and offering tips on anything from advanced techniques, individual cases and the latest spinal research.
With regular blog posts from the NASS president, F. Todd Wetzel (Philadelphia, USA), as well as the editor of SpineLine, William Sullivan, SpineConnect offers insights from experts in the field. To keep members up-to-date with the latest Open Forum conversations, the platform offers a “Daily Digest” by email.
Recent blog highlights include Wetzel’s exploration of the evidence-based conservative approach of the UK’s National Health Service to low back pain treatments. Sullivan’s timely explanation of NASS’ recent advocacy efforts is also not to be missed for any USA-based member.
The platform includes a Fellowship Connect section, through which physicians can search for international training opportunities. Steered by SpineConnect users, the resource pairs those looking for surgical and nonsurgical training, as well as research opportunities, with those looking to teach. The website offers numerous ways to collaborate with members from across the globe, including a Careers Postings section, which connects members with a host of faculties looking to harness their expertise and skills.
