Guest post from Elad I. Levy, MD
Editor, Congress Quarterly
Congress Quarterly (cnsq) is the official newsmagazine of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), written by and for neurosurgeons to explore topics of unique value and interest to our specialty, from neurosurgeons as artists to helping with U.S. tragedies.
In today’s post we wanted to highlight the 2016 CNS Annual Report issue of the Congress Quarterly which harnesses the synergies the CNS creates with its valued members. As the title, “Better Together,” suggests, advancement, innovation, and educational excellence is achieved through the tremendous combined volunteerism and feedback of the membership around the globe. In 2016, we worked tirelessly and are happy to report some exciting highlights:
NEUROSURGERY® Publications continues to thrive under the direction of Editor-in-Chief, Nelson M. Oyesiku, MD, PhD. Our flagship journal, Neurosurgery, received its highest Impact Factor to date in 2016, and Operative Neurosurgery expanded to a bimonthly publication with an entirely independent editorial review board. In addition, our members now can enjoy The Surgeon’s Armamentarium, a new digital search function that puts the vast resources of the journals at your fingertips.
- As a leader in education and innovation, the CNS continues to expand its evidence-based clinical practice guidelines program. The increasing amount of literature in neurosurgical research, provides high-quality clinical practice guidelines are developed. The CNS now publishes three to four guidelines a year, with nine new topics currently in development. Recently published topics include Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenoma and Positional Plagiocephaly.
- The CNS continues its legacy of innovative educational programs for members with updated live courses and the Annual Meeting, which remains the only neurosurgical meeting to showcase live surgical cases to allow real-time learning. With audience participation and moderators, this unique education platform showcases technical nuances and decision-making analyses. Online education experienced dramatic growth as it helped to guide CNS membership into a dynamic, increasingly electronic future with online webinars, courses, and expanded SANS modules.
- The CNS provides quality educational and leadership opportunities for residents with live courses, programs, and free online resources that assist residents on every stage of their journey.
- The CNS continues to be fortunate to have one of the most effective teams in Washington, DC. We made significant progress on tough issues in 2016, such as helping to guide the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), abolishing the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), and advocating to provide additional funding for graduate medical education (GME).
Overall, 2016 provided exciting new avenues of growth and advancement. We hope the full report is of interest. The CNS is committed to meeting the evolving needs of neurosurgery and advance the specialty over the course of 2017.
