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. 2023 Aug;48(8):414-419.
doi: 10.1136/rapm-2023-104480. Epub 2023 Apr 13.

Needs-based novel digital curriculum for the neuromodulation training deficit: Pain Rounds

Shravani Durbhakula  1 , Serkan Toy  2 , Carlos A Acosta  3   4 , Ross A Barman  5 , Andrew F Kelner  6 , Mohammad A Issa  7 , Mustafa Y Broachwala  8 , Bryan J Marascalchi  9 , Yeshvant A Navalgund  10 , Daniel J Pak  11 , Erika A Petersen  12 , Neel D Mehta  11 , Susan M Moeschler  5 , Lynn R Kohan  13
Affiliations

Needs-based novel digital curriculum for the neuromodulation training deficit: Pain Rounds

Shravani Durbhakula et al. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2023 Aug.

Abstract

This study reports the needs-based development, effectiveness and feasibility of a novel, comprehensive spinal cord stimulation (SCS) digital curriculum designed for pain medicine trainees. The curriculum aims to address the documented systematic variability in SCS education and empower physicians with SCS expertise, which has been linked to utilization patterns and patient outcomes. Following a needs assessment, the authors developed a three-part SCS e-learning video curriculum with baseline and postcourse knowledge tests. Best practices were used for educational video production and test-question development. The study period was from 1 February 2020 to 31 December 2020. A total of 202 US-based pain fellows across two cohorts (early-fellowship and late-fellowship) completed the baseline knowledge assessment, while 122, 96 and 88 participants completed all available post-tests for Part I (Fundamentals), Part II (Cadaver Lab) and Part III (Decision Making, The Literature and Critical Applications), respectively. Both cohorts significantly increased knowledge scores from baseline to immediate post-test in all curriculum parts (p<0.001). The early-fellowship cohort experienced a higher rate of knowledge gain for Parts I and II (p=0.045 and p=0.027, respectively). On average, participants viewed 6.4 out of 9.6 hours (67%) of video content. Self-reported prior SCS experience had low to moderate positive correlations with Part I and Part III pretest scores (r=0.25, p=0.006; r=0.37, p<0.001, respectively). Initial evidence suggests that Pain Rounds provides an innovative and effective solution to the SCS curriculum deficit. A future controlled study should examine this digital curriculum's long-term impact on SCS practice and treatment outcomes.

Keywords: chronic pain; education; pain management; spinal cord stimulation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: SD received an unrestricted educational grant for the Pain Rounds project from Nevro Corp, and has no other conflicts of interest that are relevant to this manuscript. ST, CAA, RAB, AFK, MAI, MYB, BM, and LK do not have any conflicts of interest to disclose that are relevant to this manuscript. YAN is a consultant for Abbott, Nevro Corp, and Medtronic. DJP is a consultant for Nevro Corp. and Vertos and receives research support from Boston Scientific. EP has received research support from Mainstay, Medtronic, Neuros Medical, Nevro Corp, ReNeuron, SPR, and Saluda, as well as personal fees from Abbott Neuromodulation, Biotronik, Medtronic Neuromodulation, Nalu, Neuros Medical, Nevro, Presidio Medical, Saluda, and Vertos. She holds stock options from SynerFuse and neuro42. NM receives research funding from Nevro and Boston Scientific and is a consultant for Nevro and Boston Scientific. SM receives research support from Abbott.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The profile plots comparing the average knowledge test scores for (A) Part I, (B) Part II, and (C) Part III. Error bars indicate 95% CIs.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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