September 2023 Society Spotlight
Special Interest Section Edition: Refractory Headache
The Refractory Headache Special Interest Section (SIS) of the American Headache Society is dedicated to empowering clinicians in the accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of refractory headache disorders. Through rigorous research, comprehensive education, and the application of evidence-based practices in outpatient, inpatient, and emergency care settings, the Refractory Headache SIS aims to improve patient care and reduce healthcare burden. Our vision is an inspiring one, encompassing a future free from refractory headache disorders, thus eliminating the need for intensive inpatient and emergency interventions.
The Refractory Headache SIS is an active hub of innovation with numerous ongoing projects. These include a scoping review on the diagnosis of status migrainosus, a proposal to refine and validate diagnostic criteria for refractory migraine, and an update on the 2016 guideline concerning parenteral treatment of migraine in the emergency room. The most recently completed study, a survey of AHS membership on outpatient treatment of status migrainosus, was accepted as a poster at AAN and the AHS 65th Annual Scientific Meeting, and is currently being submitted for publication. Our future agenda is equally ambitious, including a systematic review of status migrainosus treatment, a study on urgent care headache management by APPs, a consensus statement on admission criteria for status migrainosus, and a white paper addressing the present state of headache admissions in the United States.
Beyond research, the Refractory Headache SIS maintains a strong commitment to education. Recent collaborations with other AHS sections have produced pre-courses on topics like vestibular migraine and “Outside the Box” treatments. Moreover, our partnership with the First Contact – Headache in Primary Care Program has led to the formation of an emergency room-focused working group, involving multidisciplinary healthcare professionals and patient advocates.
Our bi-annual meetings and listserv have become synonymous with lively debate and creative idea exchange. If discussions around refractory patient diagnosis, treatment, and pathophysiology invigorate you, then the Refractory Headache SIS is your intellectual home!
Meet the Chair
Jennifer Robblee, MD, MSc
Dr. Robblee is a board-certified neurologist with fellowship training and UCNS certification in headache medicine. She practices at the Lewis Headache Center, Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, with 20% of her time devoted to research in headache medicine. Her research explores headache medicine through projects ranging from pharmacologic studies to investigator-initiated research projects with over 20 publications. Her particular interest is refractory headache, currently supported by intramural grants. She is an active member of the American Headache Society, contributing to committees like the Refractory Headache SIS, Pharmacology & Therapeutics SIS, Advocacy Committee, Guideline Committee, and the Electronic Media Committee. Recognized with the Frontiers in Headache Research scholarship in 2018, she also took part in the AHS Emerging Leaders program in 2020. Currently, she’s working to expand an emergency room program through the AHS First Contact – Headache in Primary Care Program. Dr. Robblee’s focus on refractory headache disorders is driven by her desire to improve patient care. She continues to work collaboratively within the AHS, contributing to research and education efforts that benefit both patients and professionals in the headache community.
This article is accurate and up to date at the time of posting, but may not reflect the most recent scientific developments or updates.