ASPMF 700-770: Acute Surgical Pain Management Courses

This is the first in a series of five courses related to the perioperative management of pain. This course focuses on key aspects of acute surgical pain, including micro and functional neuroanatomy, the pathophysiology of pain, and neuromuscular assessment. Physiological aspects of pain are examined through direct clinical assessment and pain management interventions within the context of legal, ethical, and professional standards. Non-allopathic strategies to reduce pain are explored in situations where initial interventions are ineffective as well as the cultural and spiritual aspects of pain.  

This is the second in a series of five courses related to the perioperative management of pain. This course focuses on essential regional anesthesia techniques commonly used to optimize patient outcomes as either a primary anesthetic or as part of a multimodal pain management plan. Ultrasound physics and principles are discussed as well as the role of ultrasound-guidance in regional anesthesia. The indications, functional anatomy, sonoanatomy, common dosing regimens, and risks and complications of neuraxial procedures, superficial cervical plexus blocks, upper extremity peripheral nerve blocks, lower extremity peripheral nerve blocks, and truncal techniques are reviewed. Additional safety measures such as nerve stimulation and injection pressure monitor are also examined.  

This is the first course in a sequence of three to improve the fellow’s knowledge and skill in acute pain management practices throughout the perioperative period. Fellows attend an on-campus intensive covering all aspects of essential ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia procedures to include anatomist-guided cadaveric dissections, needling practice on whole-body cadavers, live model scanning, and neuromuscular assessment. This knowledge is translated into clinical practice during clinical rotations at affiliate sites under the mentorship of preceptors. 

This is the third in a series of five courses related to the perioperative management of pain. This course focuses on advanced regional anesthesia techniques used to optimize patient outcomes as either a primary anesthetic or as part of a multimodal pain management plan in situations when commonly used procedures are not possible because of patient comorbidities or the surgical procedure. The role of regional anesthesia for non-surgical pain management is examined as well as the utility point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) studies in the perioperative management of patients. 

This is the fourth in a series of five courses related to the perioperative management of pain. This course begins with a review of drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and the emerging field of pharmacogenomics, followed by an in-depth look at the local anesthetics, opioids, and adjuvants used in acute pain management. The role of multimodal pain management and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols to facilitate improved outcomes following surgical procedures is discussed as well as the management of the chronic opioid patient experiencing acute pain. Finally, the impact of antithrombic therapy on regional anesthesia and strategies to optimize outcomes while minimizing risk is examined.  

This is the second course in a sequence of three to improve the fellow’s knowledge and skill in acute pain management practices throughout the perioperative period. Fellows attend an on-campus intensive covering all aspects of advanced ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia procedures to include anatomist-guided cadaveric dissections, needling practice on whole-body cadavers, live model scanning, and neuromuscular assessment. This knowledge is translated into clinical practice during rotations at affiliate sites under the mentorship of preceptors.  

This is the final course in a sequence of five related to the perioperative management of pain. This course introduces the student to evaluating best evidence-based practices in the field of acute pain management. Current literature and evidence-based practices are examined and critiqued to determine if current anesthetic practices are supported by research. Specialty areas such as pediatric considerations and the management of chronic pain are investigated. Students also review the essential ethical, legal, public policy, and business principles needed to provide acute pain management services and learn the skills necessary to create a pain management team. Finally, the course introduces students to best practices in mentoring and educating others in the field of acute pain management.  

This is the final course in a sequence of three to improve the fellow’s knowledge and skill in acute pain management practices throughout the perioperative period. Knowledge gained throughout Fellowship courses and hands-on intensives is translated into clinical practice during rotations at affiliate sites under the mentorship of preceptors.