Collaborative Spine completes research agenda-setting process for spine care

The Collaborative Spine Research Foundation (Collaborative Spine) today announced it has completed the process of setting a research agenda for spine care. The agenda articulates the most critical clinical research issues that need to be addressed in order to deliver on the Foundation's commitment to advance the science and practice of the highest-quality spine care.  

Initiated July 2, 2012, the agenda-setting process was conducted through review of a comprehensive briefing document and completion of an online survey by which respondents recommended research topics. Through July and August, Collaborative Spine invited broad participation in the survey—inclusive of those who provide care, receive care, assist care teams or play a role in shaping access to care. At the close of the survey, on August 15, a total of 143 submissions had been received.

"Dialogue with stakeholders is central to the commitment that Collaborative Spine directors have explicitly made to one another and implicitly to our patients," said Collaborative Spine Board of Directors member Paul McCormick, MD, MPH, FAANS. "We look forward to continued conversation with individuals and organizations interested in better spine care through clinical research."

Review and deliberation of the recommended topics was led by the Foundation's 32-member Advisory Council whose members were recruited to represent clinical and academic medicine; the clinical spine research community; and industry, including medical technology, health services and insurance organizations. The Council met via webinar and presented their recommendations to the Collaborative Spine Board of Directors for its consideration.

"Through this process, stakeholders will shape the vast majority of the research funded by Collaborative Spine Research Foundation," said Board Chair James D. Heckman, MD. "We're very appreciative of each and every topic recommended." The Foundation's operating principles call for 80 percent of available funding to be devoted to agenda-directed research, with the remaining 20 percent put toward investigator-directed research.

Source: Collaborative Spine Research Foundation