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

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

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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina has launched a free, online tool that enables its customers to share their experiences in being treated by N.C. doctors.

Overuse of pain-killers when you have a migraine can make your headaches worse, requiring more pain medicine (Chicago Sun-Times)

Some people even end up with chronic migraine, meaning they're in pain more days than not. And new research suggests certain prescription pain-killers -- including narcotics -- increase that risk.

Votes on legislation to enact comprehensive national health reform might have to wait until early 2010, the Democratic chairman of a powerful House subcommittee said Wednesday.

Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.), who chairs the Ways and Means Committee's health subcommittee, said Congress is likely to take a slower approach on healthcare reform. He said lawmakers have too many pressing priorities on the economy and other smaller- scale healthcare issues to move quickly on a large healthcare bill next year, as reform activists have advocated.

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.

Send in your state society's news, annoucements and updates to mmartin@asipp.org.

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.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have posted the 2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) program measures and specifications.

"Opioid-based narcotics (such as morphine) are the most widely prescribed therapeutic agents for the alleviation of persistent pain; however, it is becoming increasingly clear that morphine is significantly less potent in women compared with men. Until now, the mechanism driving the phenomenon was unknown," said Anne Murphy, Ph.D., a Georgia State Professor of Neuroscience and member of the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, who conducted the research with Dayna Loyd, Ph.D.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting consumers nationwide not to purchase or consume more than 25 different products marketed for weight loss because they contain undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients that may put consumers' health at risk.

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.

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