Pain Medicine
Program Type: Military Medical Center
Location: Portsmouth, VA
Accredited: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
Program Length: 1 year
Required Pre-Requisite Training: Graduation from Medical School and completion of Residency training in either: Anesthesia, PM&R, Neurology, Psychiatry, Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, or Radiology
Categorical Year in Specialty Required: No
Total Approved Complement: 2
Approved per Year (if applicable): 1
Dedicated research year offered: No
Medical Student Rotation availability: Yes: MS4s
Additional degree concurrent with training (e.g. MPH): No
Program Phone Number: 757-953-3159
Program Email: dha.hampton-roads.portsmouth-nmc.list.nmcp-pain@health.mil
Program Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Program Description
Established in 1990, we are the Navy’s oldest Pain Medicine Fellowship and one of the original ACGME approved sites for Pain Medicine training in the United States. While we are very proud of our rich heritage, we are equally excited about our future. Navy Pain Medicine is in the midst of a revolution in the model of care that we provide. We are also witnessing an explosion in knowledge and evidence-based treatment options for many pain syndromes. The multi-disciplinary fellowship at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth is excited to play an integral role in the future of Navy Pain Medicine. We are actively seeking motivated physicians from the core specialties of anesthesiology, neurology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, family medicine, emergency medicine, radiology and psychiatry. We have rotations at Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department and palliative medicine rotation. Fellows also rotate in the Department of Neuroradiology, Neurology, and Psychiatry. Our faculty have a broad background with specialty training in anesthesiology, neurology, physiatry, behavioral health and psychiatry. Interventional training is strong with expertise in procedures such as spine injections, dorsal column stimulation, radiofrequency ablation, and ultrasound guided techniques. Research interests include natural language processing, functional EEG, infusion therapy for fibromyalgia, ultrasound guidance in pain management, dorsal and peripheral nerve stimulation and complex regional pain syndrome.
Mission, Vision and Aims
Mission
The mission of the NMCP Pain Medicine Fellowship is to fully prepare future pain specialists for the demands of Pain Medicine within the population served by the Military Health System (MHS). This diverse populations occurs in a military environment which includes military service members, retirees, and their family members. The MHS contributes to the integration of military readiness and health. The NMCP Pain Fellowship is committed to excellence in clinical care, research, and education for those in pain. The faculty is dedicated to training and educating the future leaders in Pain Medicine so that they can utilize the most comprehensive and innovative approaches to the evaluation and management of pain.
Vision
To become the busiest and most advance pain clinic in the DHA.
Aims
Our program believes in providing amazing opportunities, aims for excellence, thoughtfully considers wellness, and ensures a ready medical force.
- Mastery of the evaluation and management of painful conditions and disease states with ongoing exposure to and appreciation for specialized, complex, and safe procedural and operative care.
- Emphasize the importance of quality improvement and patient safety by engaging in continual quality improvement and patient safety endeavors.
- Embrace the multidisciplinary approach to pain management through integration and collaboration with other disciplines and specialties.
Curriculum and Schedules
Monthly grand rounds and journal club between all DHA Pain Programs. Monthly multi-disciplinary care rounds with staff providers and invited specialists. Monthly ultrasound procedure image acquisition. Weekly Anesthesia Grand Rounds.
- 30 weeks - Pain Center (Continuity, Cancer Pain,) at NMCP
- 6 weeks - PM&R: Inpatient Rehabilitation (1 week), Pain (5 weeks) at Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS)
- 2 weeks Palliative Medicine at EVMS
- 6 weeks - Neurology: Neurology Clinic (2 weeks), HA Clinic (1 week), EMG Clinic (1 week), and Neuroradiology (2 weeks) at NMCP
- 4 weeks - Psychiatry: Consult Liaison (2 weeks) and Addiction Medicine (2 weeks) at NMCP
- 4 weeks - Elective **
- Advanced Operative Pain procedures
- Pediatric Neurology
- Acute Pain service
- Neurosurgery
- Research
- Pager call for fellows.
- There is no call for medical student rotators or residents rotating on service.
Staff providers have monthly continuity clinic at local operational commands but no specific curriculum.
Monthly scheduled time in Bio Skills, and simulation Center with additional time available.
Naval Division Officer Leadership, Naval Intermediate Leadership Course and Naval Senior Leadership course all available locally. Other asynchronous Naval courses are available as advertised in the annual Medical Corps Course Catalog put out by the Corps Chief Office.
Scholarly and Professional Development Opportunities
Over the years there have been a varying amount of research put out by the Clinic and the Fellow. There is a requirement for the fellow to graduate but the minimum is a poster presentation at local Academic research Competition. Weekly continuity time is allowed or a elective monthly.
The Department of Anesthesia Perioperative and Pain Medicine has may projects underway. Fellows can associate with active projects or initiate their own. The hospital has Lean Six Sigma Black Belts to assist in certification.
Same as leadership curriculum. Fellow is allowed to work one day a week in their primary specialty to maintain knowledge, skills and abilities in that primary specialty.
Participating Sites
Expand for a list of rotation sites
- Sentara Norfolk General Hospital (EVMS Pain Medicine and Palliative Medicine)
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Applicant Information, Rotation and Interview Opportunities
We can host medical students, interns, or residents for a rotation. There is no set rotation length, but typical lengths include 2-4 weeks. If trainees are rotating in Anesthesia, they will spend 1-2 days in Pain Clinic for initial exposure.
Please email the Pain Medicine Program for specific requirements and to set up an interview. Typical supporting documents will include CV and Personal statement.
Specialty Board Examination Information
Program graduates take the American Board of Anesthesiology pain Medicine exam. This exam is offered annually in the fall. To become fully board certified, applicants must take board certification exam after graduation. To be eligible to take the specialty board exams, graduates must complete all pre-requisites required by the American Board of Anesthesia and have obtained primary residency board certification before sitting for the exam. Links to the exam schedule, exam content and exam blueprint are found below.
Teaching Opportunities
Resident/Fellow as Teacher Opportunities
Fellows are expected to assume increasing levels of responsibility as teachers to their peers in the department throughout their time. This progression of responsibility begins after the completion of program orientation month or sooner if Fellow has prior rotation time with the program.
Additional Teaching Opportunities
Fellows offered opportunity to teach courses and local, regional, national, and international conferences and lecture military medicine or other lectures based on primary specialty.
Faculty and Mentorship
All faculty staff physicians are fellowship trained in Pain Medicine. We also have physical therapists, and acupuncturists in the department.
Daily mentorship by staff and connection with program alumni.
Well-Being
The fellowship offers and amazing work life balance. There is no required inhouse call. The clinic observers all DHA minimal manning and holiday weekends.
Contact Us
Pain Management Fellowship Program
Location: Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Building 3, 9th Floor
Monday–Friday
7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Phone: 757-953-3159
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