Academy Policy Statements, Position Statements, and Position Papers

The Academy Board of Directors approves the Academy's official policy or position on a given issue through statements/papers developed by Academy committees, subcommittees and sections. An official policy or position is generally expressed via one of the following:

• Policy Statement Policy Statement

  A policy statement is a short declaration stating the Academy's position on a certain issue. A policy statement does not require an explanation of rationale behind the statement or supporting evidence. For that reason, we ask not to include a reference section. The length of a policy statement should generally not exceed 250 words.

• Position Statement Position Statement

  A position statement is a concise explanation of the Academy's position on a certain issue that should include background information and lay out the rationale behind the Academy's position. As such, the position statement is more in–depth than a policy statement and must reference all supporting evidence. The length of a position statement should generally not exceed 1,000 words.

• Position Paper Position Paper

  A position paper is an in-depth description of the Academy position on a certain issue. As such, a position paper provides the most complete analysis of the issue and is preferred when the position itself is complex. Position papers may be printed in one of the Academy publications, such as Neurology®. The Journal has editorial independence from the Academy and is not obligated to publish any Academy papers or statements.

Prior to 2012, the Academy's nomenclature and definitions for documents used to express an official position document were different from the above definitions. Accordingly, documents produced prior to November 2012 might not conform to the above definitions.

Alphabetical list of AAN policy statements, position statements, and position papers:

Abuse and Violence
Recommendations for asking about and responding to abuse experienced by neurology patients.
(January 2012)

Administration of IV tPA
Policy on Consent Issues for the Administration of IV tPA
(August 2011)

Assisted Suicide, Euthanasia, and the Neurologist
(1998)

Anticonvulsant Drug Coverage
(2006)

Artificial Nutrition and Hydration
(2006)

Chronic Pain
Ethical Considerations for Neurologists in the Management of Chronic Pain
(2001)

Clinical Research in Neurology
Ethical issues in Clinical Research in Neurology
(1998)

Code of Professional Conduct
(March 2008)

Conflicts of Interest
American Academy of Neurology Policy on Conflicts of Interest
(1998)

Definition of Neurology Subspecialty,
Neurologists may refer payers to this position statement to support the validity of a reported new patient visits under 2012 CPT E/M guidelines
(August 2012)

Direct-to-Consumer Advertising
Participation of Neurologists in Direct-to-Consumer Advertising
(2001)

Driving Competence
Position Statement on Physician Reporting of Medical Conditions That May Affect Driving Competence
(2007)

Electromyography (EMG) as a Practice of Medicine
(2004)

Genetic Testing Alert
(1996)

Humanistic Dimensions of Professionalism in the Practice of Neurology
(2001)

Life-Sustaining Treatment, Including Artificial Nutrition and Hydration, For Patients Lacking Decision-Making Capacity
Position Statement on Laws and Regulations Concerning Life-Sustaining Treatment
(2007)

Mandatory Reporting
(2006)

Palliative Care in Neurology
(March 1996)

Persistent Vegetative State Patient
Position of the American Academy of Neurology on Certain Aspects of the Care and Management of the Persistent Vegetative State Patient
(1989)

Physician Expert Witness
Qualifications and Guidelines for the Physician Expert Witness
(January 2006)

Principles Governing Academy Relationships
Principles Governing Academy Relationships with External Sources of Support
(August 2011)

Profoundly and Irreversibly Paralyzed Patients with Retained Consciousness and Cognition
Care and Management of Profoundly and Irreversibly Paralyzed Patients
(1993)

Principles of Neuroimaging Training, Guidelines, and Practice
(2008)

Responding to Requests from Adult Patients for Neuroenhancements
(2009)

Sports that Include Intentional Trauma to the Brain
(June 2008)

Sports Concussion
(2013)

Stem Cell Research
(2004)

Stroke Care
(2010)

Stroke Medical Director Reimbursement
This position statement explains responsibilities and benefits of a Stoke Medical Director
(September 2012)

Traumatic Brain Injury
(2007)