December 17, 2009

Dec. 31 Deadline for AMA Physician Practice Survey

December is the last month for data collection for the Physician Practice Information Survey. Interventional Pain Management lacks 23 usable surveys to meet the goal of 100 surveys.

While Interventional Pain Management has done very well compared to many other specialties, we really need fulfill the required number of surveys to get the most benefit from this important survey. Please note that if you were selected to take the survey, you would have already received it. ASIPP did not distribute the surveys. They were distributed and are maintained by dmrkynetec survey firm.

ASIPP, AAPM, ISIS, the American Medical Association (AMA), along with several other medical specialty societies are conducting this comprehensive multi- specialty survey of America's physician practices The results will be used to positively influence national decision makers to ensure accurate and fair representation for all physicians and patients, and to articulate the challenges of running a practice that provides expert patient care, while operating a business that is sustainable. It is clear that by sending in your survey, you can directly affect your future.

If you have been selected to participate in this important effort (only a limited number of surveys were set out) and have any questions about this survey, please call 1-877-816-8940 toll-free and ask to speak with one of dmrkynetec's executive interviewers about the 2008 Physician Information and Practice Expense Survey.

ASIPP, AAPM, ISIS, the American Medical Association (AMA), and more than 70 other medical specialty societies are conducting a comprehensive multi- specialty survey of America's physician practices.

If you received a survey, I personally encourage you to respond as soon as possible

For More Information

Nov/Dec Issue of Pain Physician Now Available Online

The Nov/Dec. issue of the Pain Physician journal is now available online. To view the online version, go to http://www.painphysicianjournal.com/

Pain Physician

Interventional Techniques Review Course, Cadaver Workshop and ABIPP Part II Preparation

Plan to attend the March 6-8, 2008 Interventional Techniques Review Course, Cadaver Workshop, and ABIPP Part II Preparation.

The review course includes one day of didactics covering various interventional techniques and one and a half days of hands-on cadaver workshop designed to meet the needs of interventional pain physicians seeking to refresh or learn new skills and also for those who desire instruction for the ABIPP Part II examination.

During this 3-day event, you can improve existing skills, learn new skills, prepare for the interventional techniques certification, or prepare for the board examination. Whether you have been practicing interventional pain management for many years or are new to the field with basic skills, we are confident you will find this review course and cadaver workshop to be beneficial as it is essential to keep learning. We trust you will be eager to join us for this opportunity to professional enhancement.

The seminar will be conducted at the Westin Memphis Beale Street and the world famous Medical Education and Research Institute (MERI) in Memphis, TN. Make your plans early to attend. We look forward to seeing you in Memphis.

Meetings

Brochure

Online Registration

Manuscript on Deaths from Opioid Analgesics now available on PubMed

The manuscript "Increasing deaths from opioid analgesics in the United States: an evaluation in an interventional pain management practice" has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Opioid Management and is now available on PubMed.

PubMed

New Hampshire Ban on Sale of Prescribing Data Upheld

A federal appeals court ruling that upheld New Hampshire's ban on commercial use of prescribing data could clear the way for other states to pursue legislation restricting drugmakers' access to information they use to tailor marketing pitches to doctors (O'Reilly, amednews.com, Dec. 22, 2008 issue).

amednews.com

State Society News

The Minnesota Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (MSIPP) meeting will be held at the Medtronic World Headquarters on January 27th, 2009 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Agenda will be annoucnecd soon.

Address: Medtronic World Headquarters 710 Medtronic Parkway Minneapolis, MN 55432-5604 Phone: (763) 514-4000 To join MSIPP or to find out additional information about our organization please call me.

Contact Georgann Gillund Minnesota Society of Interventional Pain Physicians 612-385-8342 for ggillund@painphysicians.com for more information.

State Society Updates

Please visit the ASIPP State Society Web page to verify that we have your board information correct. If you have held elections but have not notified us, this information may be outdated.

Also please send in your meeting announcements or write-ups so that we can publish this information in the ASIPP News and ASIPP E-news. Send your news to martin@asipp.org

State Societies

Fentanyl Abuse Deadlier Than Methadone

Over time, the incidence of prescription drug abuse has increased, and during that time the drugs people choose to abuse have become more potent.

According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the abuse of prescription pain killers ranks only behind marijuana as the country's most prevalent drug used.

Times-Union

Word of Mouth and Physician Referrals Still Drive Health Care Provider Choice

Sponsors of health care price and quality transparency initiatives often identify all consumers as their target audiences, but the true audiences for these programs are much more limited. In 2007, only 11 percent of American adults looked for a new primary care physician, 28 percent needed a new specialist physician and 16 percent underwent a medical procedure at a new facility, according to a new national study by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC).

Health Leaders Media

Abstracts Submission Now Open

The Online Abstract Submission (see step-by- step procedures below) for the 11th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) is now open. The meeting will be held June 26- July 1, 2009 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA.

To be considered for a presentation at the meeting, abstracts must be submitted and completed by the submission deadline of 5 pm Central Standard Time (CST) Monday, January 19, 2009.

Click on the following link for full instructions and to submit. http://www.asip p.org/abstracts/

Submit

2009 AMA CPT Books Now Available Online

The AM CPT 2009 Professional Edition, AMA HCPCS 2009 Level II, and AMA Physician ICD-9-CM 2009 - Vol. 1 & 2 are now available online. Get prepared for the new year by purchasing your copies today.

Order Online

Physicians Wanted

Visit the ASIPP Web site to find available positions for IPM physicians.

Physicians Wanted