Employer Perspective on Pain Fellowship Education: A Survey to Understand the Current State of Pain Medicine Training.

Background: Pain medicine care has expanded to encompass a wider range of conditions, necessitating updated education and training for pain specialists to utilize emerging technologies effectively. A national survey was conducted through several verified Pain organizations regarding pain physician employers' perspectives on pain medicine fellowship training and education. The survey aimed to gather insights from a diverse range of geographic locations, practice types (academic and private practice), and practice settings.

Trainee Insight into Pain Fellowship Programs: A Critical Evaluation of the Current Educational System by the APPD.

Background: Since 1992, when the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) acknowledged pain medicine as a subspecialty, the field has experienced significant growth in its number of programs, diversity of sponsoring specialties, treatment algorithms, and popularity among applicants. These shifts prompted changes to the educational model, overseen by program directors (PDs) and the ACGME. The pool of pain fellowship applicants also changed during that period.

The current state of training in pain medicine fellowships: An Association of Pain Program Directors (APPD) survey of program directors.

Introduction: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) approved the first pain medicine fellowship programs over three decades ago, designed around a pharmacological philosophy. Following that, there has been a rise in the transition of pain medicine education toward a multidisciplinary interventional model based on a tremendous surge of contemporaneous literature in these areas. This trend has created variability in clinical experience and education amongst accredited pain medicine programs with minimal literature evaluating the differences and commonalities in education and experience of different pain medicine fellowships through Program Director (PD) experiences.

Comparing the Effectiveness of Hands-on vs. Observational Training of Residents in Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injections (ILESI) Using a High-Fidelity Spine Simulator.

Introduction The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requires that residents in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) residency observe or perform certain interventional procedures, one of which is an interlaminar epidural steroid injection (ILESI). While the traditional learning model relying heavily on observation is commonplace, it leaves the practice phase of learning to happen on real patients. High-fidelity simulation may be a worthwhile alternative as a training approach to increase physician comfort with the procedure and improve patient safety.

Early Neuropathic Treatment May Prevent the Chronic Stage of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type II (CRPS II​).

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a debilitating condition characterized by autonomic and inflammatory features, often caused by fractures, surgeries, or other injuries. Multimodal treatment is utilized, which often includes neuropathic medications and physical therapy. We had a case of a 24-year-old man who was diagnosed with CRPS II following an open reduction and internal fixation of a trimalleolar fracture.

Inciting Events Associated With Cervical Radiculopathy.

Background: Cervical radiculopathy (CR) is a clinical diagnosis defined as a combination of neck, shoulder, and arm pain, often accompanied by sensory and motor symptoms. CR is often caused by degenerative spine pathology associated with impingement of a cervical nerve root, and this pathology can be visualized using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT). [Correction added September 4, 2019, after online publication: 'computer tomography' corrected to 'computed tomography'] Factors that are associated with the onset of CR have not been explored.

Gabapentin Does Not Appear to Improve Postoperative Pain and Sleep Patterns in Patients Who Concomitantly Receive Regional Anesthesia for Lower Extremity Orthopedic Surgery: A Randomized Control Trial.

In recent years, gabapentin has gained popularity as an adjuvant therapy for the treatment of postoperative pain. Numerous studies have shown a decrease in pain score, even with immediate postoperative activity, which is significant for early post-op ambulation and regaining functionality sooner. However, studies have been in conclusive in patients undergoing lower extremity orthopedic surgery.