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Defining a Neurostimulation-Focused Subspecialty: Perspectives Inspired by a Debate at the 2023 Clinical TMS Society Annual Meeting

Year: 2024

Type: editorial

Abstract: Technologies to modulate neural tissue for therapeutic purposes have expanded rapidly in recent years. Increasingly, clinicians are seeking neuromodulation subspecialty training in parallel across several medical specialties including neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, anesthesiology, and physiatry, with different paths determined by the condition being treated and the clinician’s specialty. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is one of the neuromodulation technologies experiencing a surge in medical use and associated clinical indications. At the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Clinical TMS Society in Colorado Springs, CO, a planned debate took place to address questions and challenges surrounding the role of TMS within the broader scope of this emerging subspecialty. Here we discuss the proceedings of the debate and expand upon open questions as this subspecialty takes form. This article aims to identify the relevant specialists and stakeholders to engage; outline the treatment modalities which would fall under the purview of the subspecialty; brainstorm official titles for the subspecialty; define the scope of practice and requisite training for clinicians; and review other considerations such as avenues for post-residency training and barriers to subspecialty development.

Source: Academic Psychiatry

DOI: 10.1007/s40596-024-02025-2