Pain Management Fellowship Lubbock

Rotations include Neurology, Psychiatry, Lubbock Spin Institute, Palliative Care & The Pain Center at Grace Clinic. Below is a brief description of each of the rotations each Fellow will experience in our Pain Management Program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

• Neurology
  • 2 week outpatient headache clinic with a headache specialist
• Psychiatry
  • 2 half days per week for 4 weeks in an outpatient substance use disorder clinic
• Lubbock Spine Institute
  • 3 anesthesiologists and 1 PM&R all with subspecialty certification in pain medicine
  • Fellows rotate every other week

The salary for the upcoming fellowship school year can be obtained via the Office of Graduate Medical Education (GME).

• Authorized absences
  15 days vacation leave each year
  5 days sick leave each year
  5 days professional (meeting) leave (academic good standing)
• Medical and Dental Insurance
  Medical Insurance is provided for graduate trainees with a cost share option for dependent coverage if elected.  Insurance is provided through the University and includes major medical and special hospital allowances, which provide additional coverage for maternity and out-patient care.
• Dental insurance is also available for graduate trainees with a cost share option for dependents. 
• Other Benefits
  Lab coats, laundry service, malpractice insurance, black fleece jacket are  provided for fellowship trainees.
• Stipends
  The stipends for fellows at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center are consistent with other medical centers in the Southwest area and may undergo adjustments each year. Stipends are currently $1,000 per year and may be used for books or meeting travel.

Pain fellows are encouraged to either be involved in ongoing clinical, translational, or basic research, or initiate research. Research resources of other clinical departments and basic science departments in TTUHSC are available, along with access to the high-quality animal resource facility that is available to all departments at the TTUHSC School of Medicine. The Clinical Research Institute at TTUHSC is available to all pain medicine fellows who are interested in research projects.

Prior to completion of the fellowship, pain medicine fellows will give a presentation on a topic of their interest in the Pain Grand Rounds.

Fellows are expected to submit abstracts to pain medicine meetings and/or write and submit at least one manuscript suitable for publication.

The purpose of the training program is to provide in-depth pain medicine training to fellows enrolled at TTUHSC. The learning objectives encompass the six Core Competencies and include in-depth graduate medical training in key areas of modern pain medicine: Acute Pain, Chronic Pain, Cancer Pain, and Hospice and Palliative Care. The core curriculum content reflects the current subspecialty pain management program published by the American Board of Anesthesiology. Click the tabs below to learn more.

Patient Care

Goal: 
The fellow will provide care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of the patient with acute and chronic pain. The fellow will develop manual dexterity and be able to develop and execute patient care plans appropriate for their level of training.

Objectives:

• Learn and perform thorough assessments of patients in acute and chronic nonmalignant and malignant pain
• Develop and implement treatment plans using clinical and scientific data and patient preference
• Competently perform all medical and invasive procedures considered essential for managing pain which include, but not limited to:
  • Image-guided cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal injections
  • Minor and major joint or bursa injections
  • Trigger point injections
  • Sympathetic blocks
  • Neurolytic techniques including chemical and radiofrequency treatment for pain
  • Intradiscal procedures including discography
  • Spinal cord stimulators
  • Placement of permanent spinal drug delivery systems
  • Vertebral body stabilization techniques
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with patients and their families
• Achieve and document the required number of patient interactions required in each of the disciplines described in the ACGME Pain Medicine Fellowship Program Requirements

Medical Knowledge

Goal:
The fellow will achieve detailed knowledge of the evaluation and management of pain patients. The fellow will learn to critically evaluate and demonstrate knowledge of how to access today’s scientific information.

Objectives:

• Develop an investigatory and analytical thinking approach to clinical situations
• Recognize and apply knowledge of clinical sciences that is appropriate to pain management
  • This includes, but no limited to, the topics stated in the ACGME Pain Medicine Fellowship Program Requirements
• Incorporate their didactic teaching in the field of pain management into the management of their patients pain 
• Stay current with up-to-date medical knowledge
• Develop and apply an algorithmic approach to the treatment of pain
• Develop the ability to critically appraise evidence about treatment effectiveness as it relates to pain management
• Identify an area of pain management from which to create a Grand Rounds presentation
• Encouraged to establish new or participate in ongoing departmental pain research studies

Practice-based Learning & Improvement

Goal:
The fellow will investigate and evaluate his or her own patient care practices, appraise and assimilate scientific evidence, and initiate improvement in patient care.

Objectives:

• Utilize their personal faculty, ancillary staff and patient evaluations to assess the effectiveness of their patient care activities
• Incorporate evidence from scientific studies relating to the treatment of pain into the patient’s treatment plan
• Use information technology to support medical decision-making processes
• Interact with the professional, technical, and clerical personnel as it relates to patient care
• Participate in quality assurance/improvement conferences

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Goal:
The fellow will learn to demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective information exchange with patients, their families, and professional associates.

Objectives:

• Work with faculty, colleagues, and support staff  in an efficient, courteous manner that facilitates patient care
• Communicate and sustain a therapeutic and ethically sound relationship with patients and their families 

Professionalism

Goal:
The fellow will learn to demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities, adherence to organizational and ethical principles, and demonstrate sensitivity to diverse patient population.

Objectives:

• Maintain a professional appearance
• Observe HIPAA regulations at all times
• Apply professional and ethical principles to the practice of medicine
• Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to patient’s culture, age, gender, religion, sexual preference, socioeconomic status, beliefs, behaviors and disabilities
• Practice medicine that ensures patient safety
• Treat the anxious or distressed patient and/or family member with respect, compassion, integrity and kindness

Systems-based Practice

Goal:
The fellow will demonstrate an awareness of, and responsiveness to, the larger context and system of healthcare and be able to call on system resources to provide care that is of optimal value to their patients.

Objectives:

• Provide clear and thorough documentation of the patient evaluation, including information from previous medical records
• Obtain appropriate medical records from other facilities
• Practice cost-effective healthcare that does not compromise quality of care
• Learn business skills necessary for effective practice management