Pain Talk

Written by A. L. Shaw, M.D.

When one flies on an airliner, it is wise to have a healthy interest in the experience of the crew, particularly the pilot. One knows full well the FAA is intent on airline safety for all travelers, but for your trip, the most significant person is your pilot. It is desirable to know the years of experience of the captain, but knowing he has the credentials to operate the particular aircraft on which you plan to travel is of utmost importance. Additionally, the CO-pilot, or assistant pilot credentials, certifications, and experience are of importance, too for this trip.
Just as the pilot is the key person to flying safely, a board certified pain specialist is the key person in treating individuals with acute and chronic pain. Anesthesiologists, commonly, though not routinely, enter into the sub-specialization of pain medicine. They are able to build upon their experiences from surgical, obstetrical, and intensive care practices.
The American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA), a member of the American board of Medical Specialties, has been providing examinations for anesthesiologists for decades. Recently they developed the Added Qualifications in Pain Management (AQPM)subspecialty Board.
Physicians who become certified ABA and obtain an AQPM have completed a four year postgraduate residency, followed by successful completion of written and oral examinations, demonstrating their knowledge base in that specialty. This is followed by an approved fellowship in Pain Medicine and successful completion of an additional written examination on the area of anesthesiology and its contribution to pain medicine.
The American Board of Pain Medicine (ABPM) will allow any physician Board Certified in an ABMS specialty, with two years experience in the care of patients in pain and has a practice of more than twenty-five percent pain medicine to sit for the written examination. Successful completion of that examination awards a physician a ABPM diplomate certificate.
The American Academy of Pain Management is a multi-professional association. If offers an exam to physicians and healthcare professionals that work with pain patients. A certificate is issued to those who successfully complete this exam.
The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (AAMA) consists of physicians involved in the treatment of patients with acupuncture . While medical acupuncturists work with patients not in pain, pain patients commonly consume the majority of their professional time. Physicians who have at least 200 hours of formal training in medical acupuncture, or its equivalent, a license in good standing to practice medicine in the United States, and successfully complete the proficiency exam are awarded the certificate.
For the patient in chronic pain to sort out all of the above is a daunting task. However, just as it is vital for your pilot and copilot - appropriate credentials to operate the plane on which you plan to fly, it is more critical to understand the qualifications of the pain physician caring for your pain because the risk of your receiving either the incorrect or a damaging therapy for your pain is many thousand times greater than your pilot crashing your aircraft.

Directory

	Newsletter - Main Page
	Implantable Spinal Cord Stimulators
	Biofeedback
	Meet the Physician
	Pain Pointers
	Pain Talk
	Painful Facts