EBM & Research Tools
 



The International Pain and Spine Intervention Societyโ€™s popular accreditation courses in evidence-based medicine (EBM) are now available on the IPSIS online learning platform. Presented by Nikolai Bogduk, MD, PhD, these courses will provide you with the tools necessary to distinguish signal from noise in the reported outcomes of studies that are endlessly used and misused to influence your diagnostic and treatment decisions, your patients' expectations, and payersโ€™ coverage determinations.

EBM I: Assessing Studies of Treatment
Why This Course - Free Preview
Assessing Studies
Statistics Part I: Precepts
Statistics Part II: Statistics We Don't Like
Statistics Part III: Statistics We Do Like
Comparing Two Groups

EBM II: Assessing Studies of Diagnostic Tests and Strategies
Diagnosis Definitions - Free Preview
Diagnosis Part I: Reliability
Diagnosis Part II: Validity
Diagnosis Examples

Register now. The course is free for IPSIS members. Once you complete the online modules, you will be invited to register to participate in a small group online discussion session led by experienced EBM faculty. You will have the opportunity to ask questions about lecture content, and discuss and critique studies with other participants.

Awarding of CME credit for either EBM course is contingent upon successful completion of the online lectures and tests along with participation in a small group online discussion session. Those who wish to earn IPSIS Accreditation in EBM are required to pass an accreditation examination upon completion of the small group discussion session.

The accreditation that these courses offer meets the EBM training requirements in place for any members who wish to participate in the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society's efforts to develop guidelines, systematic reviews, or appropriate use criteria. Successful completion of Part I has also been established as a requirement for current and newly appointed committee members serving on the Education, Health Policy, International, Research, or Standards Divisions. Participation is also a worthwhile investment for members who want to serve as journal reviewers, and for those who simply wish to increase their knowledge and competence in critically assessing the evidence.


Outcome Instruments


Medication Quantification Scale III Calculators
To calculate MQS III scores for individuals, select the โ€œIndividual MQS-IIIโ€ file. To calculate MQS III scores for up to 100 patients in a population, select the โ€œPopulation MQS-IIIโ€ file. The calculators will open up as a spreadsheet with multiple worksheets.

IPSIS thanks the developers of these calculators for sharing their work with the IPSIS membership:

Beau P. Sperry, BA; Aaron Conger, DO; Zachary L. McCormick, MD
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
University of Utah School of Medicine


Statistics


EBM Resources

  • The Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) was established in Oxford as the first of several UK centres with the aim of promoting evidence-based health care. The CEBM provides free support and resources to doctors, clinicians, teachers and others interested in learning more about EBM.
  • The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's (AHRQ) Effective Health Care Program offers tools and resources relevant to comparative effectiveness research. The AHRQ is the lead Federal agency charged with improving the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care for all Americans.
  • The Cochrane Collaboration is an international not-for-profit and independent organization, dedicated to making up-to-date, accurate information about the effects of healthcare readily available worldwide. It produces and disseminates systematic reviews of healthcare interventions and promotes the search for evidence in the form of clinical trials and other studies of interventions.
  • The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group began in the year 2000 as an informal collaboration of people with an interest in addressing the shortcomings of present grading systems in health care.

Research Education

  • The Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative provides educational content that promotes the quality of and public trust in the research enterprise by providing high quality, peer reviewed, web based, research education materials to enhance the integrity and professionalism of investigators and staff conducting research.

Disclaimer

The resources on this page may incorporate or summarize views, guidelines, or recommendations of third parties. Such material is assembled and presented in good faith, but does not necessarily reflect the views of the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society. Links to third-party websites are inserted for informational purposes and do not constitute endorsement of material at those sites, or any associated organization.


The International Pain and Spine Intervention Society's Research Division identifies gaps in the interventional pain evidence base and encourages research in these areas.

The following study protocol outlines are available for researchers interested in topics where more research is likely to be meaningful to our field.

Research Roadmaps

Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)

Observational and Prevalence Studies


Often in the course of conducting research, it is helpful for investigators to obtain information about current practice patterns, values, or other issues and opinions from physicians.

Members who wish to conduct a survey of the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society (IPSIS) membership must submit their request to the Research Division via the following steps.

Members have the option to submit the survey for critical review and constructive feedback from the Research Division. This step is not required, but may help increase the chances of the survey being accepted when submitted for approval.


General Information

Membership Requirement
At the time of submission, at least one investigator must be a non-trainee IPSIS member.

Restrictions

  • Study affiliation with any industry entity is not permitted.
  • Solicitations for survey participation with reimbursement are not permitted.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure
All investigators must submit a current (within the past year) conflict of interest disclosure per the IPSIS disclosure policy. The disclosure survey is located HERE.

Survey Evaluation and Implementation Schedule
In order to prevent survey fatigue among the IPSIS membership respondent pool, only one survey will be approved for implementation per quarter. Survey selection may be determined by topic and estimated time required for completion.

Applications will be reviewed by the Research Division quarterly according to the following schedule:

  • 1st Quarter Dissemination: submission deadline 12/31, decision by 1/31; posting/promotion beginning in February
  • 2nd Quarter Dissemination: submission deadline 3/31, decision by 4/30; posting/promotion beginning in May
  • 3rd Quarter Dissemination: submission deadline 6/30, decision by 7/31; posting/promotion beginning in August
  • 4th Quarter Dissemination: submission deadline 9/30, decision by 10/31; posting/promotion beginning in November

Survey Format
Surveys should be accessible via a URL link to a survey platform. Distribution of paper copies at IPSIS meetings is not allowed.

Submitting a Request to Implement a Survey
The following information will be required via an ONLINE APPLICATION FORM. This link requires login to the IPSIS website.

  • Project title
  • Description of the survey/project
  • Intended use of data
  • Description of how participants' identifying information and interests will be protected
  • Documentation of IRB approval or waiver
    • Note: if the applicant requests critical review of a survey, this documentation is not required at the time of submission. In this case, IRB documentation would be required when submitted for approval.
  • Contact information for all investigators
  • Timeframe for posting and withdrawal from the IPSIS website, not to exceed 3 months.
  • Date of anticipated submission of survey result summary to the Research Division, within 3 months of close of survey.
  • Brief description of survey for IPSIS website (2-3 sentences, not to exceed 100 words)
  • Estimated time of completion required
  • A PDF or Word copy of the survey instrument
  • URL link to the survey

Terms of Agreement
If the survey is approved for dissemination to the IPSIS membership, the investigators will be required to sign a Terms of Agreement that details:

  1. All submitted materials are accurate and true.
  2. Your project is not affiliated with any industry entity.
  3. Your project does not offer any incentives for survey participation.
  4. Disclosures of all potential conflicts of interest have been submitted to the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society and will be posted along with the survey background information for review by IPSIS members.
  5. The International Pain and Spine Intervention Society's name will only be used in the methodology description of the study or survey as providing access to IPSIS members. The International Pain and Spine Intervention Society maintains strict control over the use of the IPSIS name and logo and requires prior approval on all its uses, except for inclusion in the methodology description.
  6. Preliminary results of the survey will be summarized and submitted for posting on the IPSIS Research Division web pages within three months following the deadline for participation, unless an extension is granted. Alternatively, results of the survey will be submitted to the Annual Meeting's Call for Abstracts. The summary will report on the actual number of IPSIS members participating in the survey in addition to the summarized results.
  7. If a resulting manuscript is subsequently submitted for publication, it will first be submitted to the IPSIS journal -- Interventional Pain Medicine.
  8. The investigators indemnify the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society from any and all liability related to the project or its posting.
  9. The lead investigator/non-trainee IPSIS member will be required to sign the Terms of Agreement prior to survey implementation. If the non-trainee IPSIS member is not the lead investigator, then both individuals will be required to sign the Terms of Agreement.

Survey Implementation
On the opening date of the approved survey, the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society will send a single e-mail notification to all members. This e-mail will include a brief description of the survey and a direct link to the survey URL, preceded by the following statement: "The Research Division of the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society has reviewed and approved dissemination of the following survey to its' members. Your participation is voluntary.โ€


FALL 2024: Imaging Studies and Interventional Spine Procedures
Principal Investigator: Joshua Levin, MD
Co-Investigator: Justin Chau, MD
Survey Link



SPRING 2024: Spine Enumeration in Patients with Transitional (Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral) Vertebrae
Principal Investigator: Arthur J. DeLuigi, DO
Co-Investigators: Ziv Rechany, MD; Onyi Chinomere, MD; Mary Ellen Caldwell, DO



WINTER 2024: Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for Knee Pain
Principal Investigator: Zachary L. McCormick, MD
Co-Investigators: Dan Cushman, MD; Amanda Cooper, PhD; Reza Ehsanian, MD, PhD; Rohit Aiyer, MD


FALL 2023: Lumbar Epidural Variability Between Interventionalists in Different Clinical Scenarios
Principal Investigator: Jeremy I. Simon, MD
Co-Investigators: Ryan J. Triglia, DO; Paul M. Kitei, MD; Andrew C. Walrond, MD


SUMMER 2022: Practice Patterns and Equity in Interventional Spine
Principal Investigator: Allen S. Chen, MD, MPH
Co-Investigators: Byron J. Schneider, MD; Zachary L. McCormick, MD; Jennifer G. Leet, MD


SPRING 2021: Patient Selection and Technical Performance of Lumbar Facet Interventions
Principal Investigator: Byron J. Schneider, MD
Co-Investigator: Samir A. Khan, DO
Manuscript


WINTER 2021: Telemedicine During COVID-19
Principal Investigator: Lynn Kohan, MD
Co-Investigators: Scott Brancolini, MD; Shravani Durbhakula, MD; Yashar Eshragahi, MD; Maged Guirguis, MD; Samer Narouze, MD; David Provenzano, MD; Shalini Shah, MD; Dmitri Souza, MD; Kevin Vorenkamp, MD; Rasheeq Nizan, BA, BS
Manuscript


SUMMER 2020: Routine Use of Intravenous Access in Interventional Pain Procedures
Principal Investigator: Andrew Joyce, MD
Co-Investigators: Richard Kendall, DO; Zachary McCormick, MD; Daniel Cushman, MD; Graham Wagner, MD; Masaru Teramoto, PhD, MPH, PStatยฎ; Aaron Conger, DO
Abstract


SUMMER 2020: Changes in Interventional Pain Physician Decision-Making, Practice Patterns, and Mental Health During the Early Phase of the SARS-CoV-2 Global Pandemic
Principal Investigator: Zachary L. McCormick, MD
Co-Investigators: Aaron Conger, DO and Daniel Cushman, MD
Abstract


SPRING 2020: Practice Parameters of Physicians Trialing and Implanting Spinal Cord Stimulators
Principal Investigator: Jatinder Gill, MD
Co-Investigators: Jamal Hasoon, MD; Ammar Al-Shammaa; Thomas T Simopoulos, MD

Gill JS, Kohan LR, Hasoon J, Urits I, Viswanath O, Cai VL, Yazdi C, Aner MM, Kaye AD, Simopoulos TT. A Survey on the Choice of Spinal Cord Stimulation Parameters and Implantable Pulse Generators and on Reasons for Explantation. Orthop Rev (Pavia). 2022; 14(4):39648. Manuscript

Southerland WA, Hasoon J, Urits I, Viswanath O, Simopoulos TT, Imani F, Karimi-Aliabadi H, Aner MM, Kohan L, Gill J. Dural Puncture During Spinal Cord Stimulator Lead Insertion: Analysis of Practice Patterns. Anesth Pain Med. 2022 Apr; 12(2):e127179. Manuscript

Gill J, Kohan L, Hasoon J, Urits I, Viswanath O, Sadegi K, Orhurhu V, Lee AC, Aner MM, Simopoulos TT. Contralateral and Lateral Views: Analysis of the Technical Aspects of Spinal Cord Stimulator Lead Insertion. Anesth Pain Med. 2022 Feb; 12(1):e123357. Manuscript

Sarrafpour S, Hasoon J, Urits I, Viswanath O, Mahmoudi K, Simopoulos TT, Gill J, Kohan L. Antibiotics for Spinal Cord Stimulation Trials and Implants: A Survey Analysis of Practice Patterns. Anesth Pain Med. 2021 Oct; 11(5):e120611. PMID: 35075422 Manuscript

Hasoon J, Urits I, Viswanath O, Varrassi G, Simopoulos TT, Kohan L, Gutierrez G, Orhurhu V, Aner M, Gill J. Percutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation Lead Placement Under Deep Sedation and General Anesthesia. Pain Ther. 2021 Dec; 10(2):1719-1730. Manuscript


SUMMER 2019: Understanding Current Practice Patterns in Pain Management for Radiofrequency Procedures for Chronic Spinal Pain in Patients with Implantable Devices
Principal Investigator: Jason Friedrich, MD
Co-Investigators: Ben Marshall, MD and Elise Adcock, MD
Manuscript


SPRING 2019: Physician Decision Making and Patient Satisfaction Scores
Principal Investigators: Byron J. Schneider, MD and Reza Ehsanian, MD, PhD
Abstract


WINTER 2019: Understanding the Current Landscape of Regenerative Medicine for Percutaneous Treatment of Spine Pathology
Principal Investigator: Venu Akuthota, MD
Co-Investigator: Balaji Sridhar, MD, PhD
Abstract


SPRING 2018: Epidural Corticosteroid Injection Practices & Trends: A Survey of Interventional Spine Physicians
Principal Investigator: Zachary McCormick, MD

Hynes A, Vydra D, Clements N, Julia J, Nagpal A, Cushman DM, McCormick ZL. Current Trends in the Use of Sedation During Spine Intervention Procedures: A Survey Study. Pain Medicine. 2019. Accepted for publication. Abstract

Vydra D, McCormick ZL, Clements N, Nagpal A, Julia J, Cushman D. Current Trends in Steroid Dose Choice and Frequency of Administration of Epidural Steroid Injections: A Survey Study. PMR. 2019. Accepted for Publication. Abstract

Clements ND, Vydra D, Cushman DM, Nagpal A, Julia J, Zheng P, McCormick ZL. Trends in Steroid Agent and Diluent Choices for Epidural Steroid Injections: A Survey of International Pain and Spine Intervention Society Physicians. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2019. Accepted for Publication. Abstract

Clements ND, Vydra, D, Nagpal A, Akuthota V, Kennedy DJ, McCormick ZL, Cushman DL. Serious Complications Associated with Interventional Spine Procedures - Results of a International Pain and Spine Intervention Society Survey. Pain Medicine. 2019. Accepted for Publication. Abstract

Vydra, D, Hynes A, Clements N, Nagpal A, Julia J, Schneider BJ, Maus TP, Cushman DM, McCormick ZL. Current Practice Trends in Image-Guidance During Cervical and Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections. Pain Medicine. 2019. Apr 2. pii: pnz065. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnz065. [Epub ahead of print] PMID:30938803 Abstract


SUMMER 2016: Antithrombotic Drugs in Interventional Spine Procedures
Principal Investigator: Matthew Smuck, MD
Abstract


WINTER 2015-2016: Are Patient Satisfaction Surveys Altering How Physicians Practice?
Principal Investigator: Joshua H. Levin, MD
Co-Investigators: D.J. Kennedy, MD and Ryan Mattie, MD
Abstract


WINTER 2015: International Delphi Study on Clinical Diagnosis of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Principal Investigators: Christy Tomkins-Lane, PhD and Matthew Smuck, MD
Presentation, Manuscript


SPRING 2014: Does MRI Affect Physician Treatment for Patients Presenting with Low Back Pain: A Prospective Analysis?
Principal Investigator: Venu Akuthota, MD
Abstract