Lynn Kohan1, Susan Moeschler2, Boris Spektor3, Rene Przkora4, Christopher Sobey5, Scott Brancolini6, Sayed Wahezi7, Magdalena Anitescu8. 1. Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia. 2. Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. 3. Department of Anesthesiology, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia. 4. Pain Medicine Division, Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. 5. Clinical Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee. 6. Department of Anesthesia, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 7. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Anesthesiology, and Orthopedic, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, New York. 8. Pain Management Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pain fellowship programs are facing unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Restrictions from state governments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have resulted in a rapidly changing and evolving learning environment for todays' fellows. Innovative solutions must be sought to guarantee that proper education is maintained and to ensure the well-being of our trainees. METHODS: We assembled a panel of pain program directors who serve as officers/board members of the Association of Pain Program Directors to provide guidance and formulate recommendations to pain fellowship directors nationally. This guidance is based on reviewing current changes to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and American Board of Anesthesiology policies and best available evidence and expert opinion on the use of remote educational activities, research endeavors, and trainee wellness. CONCLUSIONS: The country is in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic. The impact on pain management fellowships has been severe and will likely last for months, resulting in extraordinary challenges to the administration of pain fellowship programs and the education of our fellows. Understanding revisions to ACGME policies, using technology to promote remote learning opportunities, and providing trainees with opportunities to alleviate their anxiety and encourage mental health are beneficial strategies to implement. Together, we can implement innovative solutions to help overcome these challenges.
BACKGROUND:Pain fellowship programs are facing unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Restrictions from state governments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have resulted in a rapidly changing and evolving learning environment for todays' fellows. Innovative solutions must be sought to guarantee that proper education is maintained and to ensure the well-being of our trainees. METHODS: We assembled a panel of pain program directors who serve as officers/board members of the Association of Pain Program Directors to provide guidance and formulate recommendations to pain fellowship directors nationally. This guidance is based on reviewing current changes to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and American Board of Anesthesiology policies and best available evidence and expert opinion on the use of remote educational activities, research endeavors, and trainee wellness. CONCLUSIONS: The country is in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic. The impact on pain management fellowships has been severe and will likely last for months, resulting in extraordinary challenges to the administration of pain fellowship programs and the education of our fellows. Understanding revisions to ACGME policies, using technology to promote remote learning opportunities, and providing trainees with opportunities to alleviate their anxiety and encourage mental health are beneficial strategies to implement. Together, we can implement innovative solutions to help overcome these challenges.
Authors: Carly A Kaplan; Chi C Chan; Jordyn H Feingold; Halley Kaye-Kauderer; Robert H Pietrzak; Lauren Peccoralo; Adriana Feder; Steven Southwick; Dennis Charney; Larissa Burka; Madeleine Basist; Jonathan Ripp; Saadia Akhtar Journal: Acad Med Date: 2021-12-01 Impact factor: 7.840