Certification of Added Qualification in Headache Medicine
Erick Ward National Headache Foundation
Chicago, IL
Headache disorders are the most common neurological disorders, affecting more than 90 percent of Americans. Despite the disease’ s prevalence, only 416 physicians had received sub-specialty certification in headache medicine by the United Council of Neurologic Subspecialties, as late as 2014. The vast difference between the number of patients and the number of certified providers makes it difficult for patients to find and be seen by a headache specialist. The National Headache Foundation( NHF) recognized the inadequate number of qualified headache care providers, and the NHF believes many health care professionals are not being properly recognized for their competency in headache medicine.
The NHF has developed a program intended to better serve headache and migraine sufferers across the country. The Certificate of Added Qualification( CAQ) in Headache Medicine was reinstated to establish the standards for headache practice and assist those with headache in locating clinicians who could provide optimal headache-related care.
The requirements to obtain a subspecialty in headache medicine have become more restrictive, preventing many headache specialists from obtaining certification or receiving acknowledgement for their work, experience, and abilities in headache medicine. It also limited the pool of providers for patients seeking help from a headache specialist. The NHF also recognized that, in addition to physicians, other health care providers should be acknowledged for their expertise and experience in headache care. Eligibility for CAQ includes physicians( MD and DO), advanced nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dentists, and clinical psychologists.
In October, 2015, the NHF executed the first CAQ exam since its reinstatement. Fourteen headache specialists are now added to the list of those certified in headache medicine – seven who would not have been eligible for other available certifications.
One recipient of CAQ, Christina Treppendahl, FNP- BC has been involved in headache medicine for 6 years and started her own practice, The Headache Center in Ridgeland, MS, in 2013. Treppendahl, like all nurse practitioners, was not eligible for UCNS headache medicine certification. Treppendahl said, as an NP, she is accustomed to having to go further than physicians to prove her qualifications. With CAQ, Treppendahl and other NPs now have that opportunity.“ It( CAQ) reassures the patient that I have experience and a found knowledge in headache medicine,” Treppendahl said.
Heather McCoy, DNP, another CAQ recipient, said she has been looking for a program such as CAQ from the day she graduated as an NP.“ This certification is very important to me,” McCoy said.“ It legitimizes my expertise in headache medicine in a way that is recognized and accepted in both the medical and lay community via a very well-respected organization— the National Headache Foundation.”
Doctor McCoy spent 16 years working in neurosurgery and neurology, but has focused exclusively on headache medicine for the last 2 years. She is the owner and clinical director at the Integrative Headache Care, LLC, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
“ The CAQ is also important to me because it offers the non-neurologist a route to clinical expertise and recognition among medical and nursing colleagues.” McCoy said.
www. headaches. org | National Headache Foundation 23