Scientific Committee - Strategic Plan

Aim:

• To promote dissemination of scientifically based information on basic and clinical research related to traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord lesions.
• To liaise with the Education and Prevention Committees of ISCoS in areas of overlapping interest.
• To establish and promote global networks for transfer of scientifically based information on basic and clinical research related to traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord lesions.

Strategies:

• To recruit active members to the Scientific Committee of ISCoS, and to ensure representation for basic and clinical research experience on the Committee,
• Continuously increase the value of the Scientific Program at the meetings, not least in cooperation with local societies, to be able disseminate as widely as possible information of basic science, care, treatment, and prevention of spinal cord lesions.
• Develop workshops/courses etc. with more strict requirements for hand-outs etc.
• Continuously develop International Spinal Cord Injury Standards and Standardised Data Sets in cooperation with the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) and/or any other associations dealing with spinal cord lesioned people or having a special interest in an important aspect of management of individuals with spinal cord lesions.
• Increase the educational aspects as much as possible in all activities in cooperation with the Educational Committee
  1. In the Scientific program of the Annual Scientific Meetings
  2. In the workshops/courses of the Annual Scientific Meetings
  3. By development of e-learning - together with ASIA and/or any other association dealing with spinal cord lesioned people or having a special interest in an important aspect of management of individuals with spinal cord lesions
  4. By use of other means including the PARADOC
• Continuously have focus on the prevention aspects in cooperation with the Prevention Committee, in particular having a Prevention symposium on the program every year.
• Strengthening the cooperation with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in particular in the work in the developing countries in collaboration with the Education and Prevention committees.
• Develop and maintain a continuously expanding database of experts/authorities in particular fields among members of the ISCoS to enhance ability to select introductory speakers at future meetings, both ISCoS annual scientific meeting, but also for other meetings where organisers ask ISCoS for advice.
• Work with the ISCoS liaison to the Consortium for Spinal Cord Medicine for Clinical Practice Guideline development.
• Work more closely with other scientific societies that are not necessarily oriented directly towards spinal cord injury or lesion, but share some similar areas - such as the International Society for Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, World Federation of NeuroRehabilitation, American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, etc.
• To structure the Scientific Committee to reflect the need for succession planning.

Operational Plan:

• Promote dissemination of scientifically based information on basic and clinical research related to traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord lesions by development and use of print and electronic media and other available means.
• Promote dissemination of scientifically based information on basic and clinical research related to traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord lesions at national and international meetings and consider holding a separate meeting devoted solely to spinal cord lesions.
• Work actively with WHO, governments, non-government and community organisations for dissemination of scientifically based information on basic and clinical research related to traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord lesions.
• Assign specific goals and tasks to committee members and/or ad hoc committees.