Pain Medicine Elective
Title of Clerkship: Pain Medicine Elective
Elective Year(s): Fourth-Year Elective
Department: Anesthesiology
Type of Elective: Clinical
Clerkship Site: The University of Toledo Medical Center
Course Number: ANES 709
Blocks Available: All
Number of Students/Block: 2
Faculty: Alexander Escobar, M.D.; Kevin Tiwari, M.D.; Kim Tran, M.D.
Elective Description/Requirements: The student will actively participate in the management of patients with acute Peri‐op Pain, Cancer Pain, and Chronic Pain. In combination, these various experiences within the Pain Medicine Division provide the student with exposure to comprehensive pain management of all types of patients with pain syndromes in both an outpatient and in patient setting. The student will participate in direct patient evaluation, intake interviews, perform thorough histories and physicals, complete pre procedural/operative H&P, and round with the Pain Service for any in‐patients. The patient volume seen by the Pain Medicine Division is in excess of 200 patients per month. This rotation presents a unique opportunity to learn many of the skills associated with the management of these complex patients. During this rotation, the student will work under the supervision of attending Anesthesiologists, Anesthesiology residents and Advanced Practitioner Providers. This course is recommended for all students regardless of specialty interests, as pain is the most common initial presenting complaint for all clinicians.
Length of Clerkship: 2 weeks
Links to Core Competencies/Educational Course Objectives: At the end of this elective, the student will be able to:
- Evaluate and develop appropriate treatment plans for chronic pain patients. (EPOs: PC-1, MK-2, MK-3, MK-5)
- Demonstrate knowledge of the basic concepts of pain physiology and pharmacology. (EPOs: MK-1, MK-4, MK-6)
- Discuss the pharmacology and pharmacodynamics of oral, I.V., IM, and spinal opiates. (EPOs: PC-7, MK-4, MK-7)
- Discuss the importance of post‐operative and post‐trauma pain management. (EPOs: PC-8)
- Describe the multiple acute pain management modalities, e.g., I.V., PCA, peripheral nerve blocks, neuro‐axial blocks, the role of NSAIDs and anticonvulsant drugs, and psychotherapies. (EPOs: PC-2, PC-7, MK-8)
- Describe the complex pathways and mechanisms in chronic pain patients. (EPOs: MK-8)
- Describe the nature of neuropathic pain and the mechanisms, e.g., CRPS type 1 & 2, diabetic neuropathy, and post‐herpetic neuralgia. (EPOs: PC-5)
- Discuss the laboratory and radiological findings associated with the pain problem (s), the specificity and sensitivity of these tests, and how to use these tests. (EPOs: MK-7, PC-1, PC-3, PC-4, PC-6, PC-7, PC-9)
Professionalism: UT/COM students will meet or exceed the institutional standards for professionalism as stated in the current Educational Program Objectives and the current Educational Course Objectives for the Sponsoring Department.
Instructional Methods:
- Diagnostic Tests use/interpretation
- Interpretation of lab data
- Lecture
- Lecture small group activity
- Mentored Clinical Practice
- Mentored Technical Skills Practice
Evaluation Methods:
- Attendance
- Professionalism Assessment
- Written Paper/Project at completion of rotation
- Oral Presentation
- Clinical Log
- Faculty observation and assessment of clinical skills
Prerequisites: 9 – 12 months clinical experience
Clerkship Director: Sarah Gerken, M.D.
Clerkship Coordinator: Patti Finch
Phone Number: 419-383-3507
Email: patti.ellis@utoledo.edu
Special Requirements: No night call
ECC Approved
March 2024