Health Information Policy

Advancing spinal health through evidence-based research and innovation.

The Spine Computational Outcomes Learning Institute’s (SCOLI) mission is to advance neurosurgical patient care using cutting-edge clinical and translational science. We provide health information to help patients, healthcare providers, and researchers make informed decisions about spinal health and treatment options.

HEALTH INFORMATION SCOPE

SCOLI health information includes:

Degenerative spine diseases and conditions
Spinal cord injuries and rehabilitation
Spinal deformities and scoliosis
Minimally invasive surgical techniques
Robotic and navigation-assisted procedures
Research findings and clinical outcomes
Patient support resources

OUR COMMITMENT

SCOLI is committed to providing health information that is:

Accurate and evidence-based. We write to inform, educate and empower patients and healthcare providers to make informed decisions about spinal health based on peer-reviewed research and clinical expertise.

Easily understood. We write in plain language that is quickly and easily understood by those of all literacy levels and medical backgrounds.

Inclusive and diverse. We use words and images that reflect our global community, inclusive of all ages, races, genders and ability levels.

Research-driven. Our content is based on SCOLI’s 420+ peer-reviewed publications, ongoing research studies, and expert clinical opinion from our multidisciplinary team.

OUR TEAM

Medical Leadership

SCOLI is co-directed by Nitin Agarwal, MD, and D. Kojo Hamilton, MD, leading neurosurgeons at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery. Our multidisciplinary team includes specialists in neurosurgery, biomedical engineering, physiatry, and pain management who review health information in their areas of specialty.

Research Faculty and Fellows

Our team includes research fellows, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members who contribute to content development and review. All medical editors and contributors disclose any financial interests related to inventions, technologies, companies or products referenced in our content.

Editorial and Communications Staff

Editorial staff have degrees in communications, journalism, biomedical sciences and related areas of study. Senior editorial staff have extensive experience in medical communications and work closely with our research team to ensure accuracy and clarity in all published content.

HEALTH INFORMATION PROCESS

Health information on this website is created using a standardized process that includes research review, writing and editing, medical review, peer consultation, and publishing.

New Topics

Editorial staff determine new health information topics based on:

Current research priorities at SCOLI
Input from medical editors and clinical faculty
Patient and provider questions and needs
Emerging developments in spine health and neurosurgery
Public health relevance and impact

Priority is given to topics that address the needs of spine patients, healthcare providers, and the broader medical community.

Updates and Reviews

As spine medicine evolves through research and clinical practice, so does our health information. All published health information follows a regular review schedule:

Rapidly-evolving topics — new surgical techniques, emerging treatments, and diagnostic procedures — are reviewed at least annually
Research findings — content based on ongoing studies and clinical trials — are updated as new data becomes available
General spine health information — foundational content about conditions and treatments — is reviewed every two years

Reviews focus on medical accuracy, clinical relevance, and supporting evidence. When significant new research emerges, some revisions are processed as critical updates and republished immediately.

RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE BASE

To ensure accuracy and reliability, our editorial team follows standardized procedures for selecting, documenting and verifying the best-available medical evidence. Sources are categorized by strength of evidence:

Primary Sources

SCOLI peer-reviewed publications
Randomized controlled trials
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
Clinical practice guidelines

Supporting Sources

Observational studies
Case series and reports
Expert consensus statements
Professional society recommendations

Our research librarians and clinical team help interpret and apply evidence. SCOLI medical specialists are cited as expert sources when providing clinical perspectives and treatment recommendations.

CONTENT DEVELOPMENT

Writing and Editing Standards

Editorial staff write and edit content following these best practices:

Plain language. Text is written to be understood by patients, families, and healthcare providers. We aim for clarity while maintaining medical accuracy.
Editorial consistency. Content is reviewed for grammar, spelling, medical terminology, clarity and consistency across all publications.
Authoritative yet accessible tone. We use a professional writing style that is both medically sound and compassionate toward patients and families.

Medical Review Process

All health information undergoes rigorous medical review by SCOLI faculty and research team members. Medical editors review content for:

Clinical accuracy and current best practices
Appropriate use of medical terminology
Consistency with current research findings
Relevance to patient care and outcomes

Visual Content Creation

Our team creates specialized visual health information including:

Medical illustrations. Custom anatomical drawings and surgical procedure illustrations created by certified medical illustrators
Research visualizations. Data presentations, outcome charts, and research findings graphics
Educational videos. Procedural demonstrations and patient education materials
Interactive content. Web-based tools for patient education and provider resources

EXTERNAL LINKS AND COLLABORATION

As a service to readers, we include links to external websites and resources when they provide high-quality, unbiased information that expands on our topics. External links are evaluated based on:

Scientific credibility and authority
Relevance to spine health and neurosurgery
Quality of information and evidence base
Accessibility for patients and providers

We typically link to government health agencies, medical associations, peer-reviewed journals, and other academic medical centers with expertise in spine care.

TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

SCOLI may use advanced technology tools in the development of health information, including:

Computational analysis for research data presentation and outcome predictions
Artificial intelligence tools to help optimize content for accessibility and readability
Medical imaging technology for educational content and research visualization
Digital health platforms for patient education and provider resources

Technology tools enhance but do not replace medical expertise, editorial judgment, or clinical oversight in content development.

CORRECTIONS AND UPDATES

Our editorial team is committed to correcting or clarifying published health information that may be confusing, misleading or inaccurate. This determination is made by editorial staff in consultation with medical editors and clinical faculty.

For transparency, significant corrections that involve misstatements of medical fact are documented and made available upon request. We encourage feedback from patients, healthcare providers, and the medical community to help us maintain the highest standards of accuracy.

ACCREDITATIONS AND RECOGNITION

SCOLI Achievements:

Over 420 peer-reviewed publications in spine research
$600,000+ in awarded research grants
AO Spine Fellowship accreditation
University of Pittsburgh academic medical center affiliation
UPMC clinical partnership for patient care

CONTACT US

We value feedback from patients, families, healthcare providers, and researchers. Please contact us with questions, suggestions, or comments about our health information.

Spine Computational Outcomes Learning Institute
Department of Neurological Surgery
UPMC Presbyterian, Suite B-400
200 Lothrop Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Email: scoli@upmc.edu
Phone: 412-647-3685

For research inquiries or collaboration opportunities, please contact our senior research fellow, Ayesha Akbar Waheed, MBBS, at waheedaa2@upmc.edu.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This Health Information Policy is effective as of April 29, 2025.