Presented at the 2012 AAPM Annual Meeting « Back

Training the Trainers: The First Decade of Tufts’ On-Site Interprofessional Pain Education Program

Ylisabyth S. Bradshaw, DO MS, libby.bradshaw@tufts.edu¹, Richard Glickman-Simon, MD¹, Wendy L. Williams, MEd BSN¹, Daniel B. Carr, MD¹, (1) Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts

Introduction: Educational gaps regarding pain are widespread (1). In response, Tufts started an MS degree program in 1999 and later added certificates and dual-degree options (2). We summarize alumni backgrounds and experiences, curricular evolution, and a recent distance learning survey. Methods: Alumni from Tufts’ Program in Pain Research, Education and Policy (PREP) were surveyed for factors leading to enrollment, relevance of courses and experiences, PREP’s utility for career advancement, post-study employment or education, successes since leaving PREP, plus open-ended questions. The distance learning survey explored respondents’ online experience, interest in selected pain topics, factors influencing enrollment decisions, and current occupation and practice settings. Results: Mid- or early-career diverse health professionals found varied, meaningful positions after PREP. Several entered with baccalaureate degrees and used PREP to transition to graduate programs (MD, DO, PhD). Some had worked in policy or advocacy; others indicated this as a career goal. Many attained leadership (managerial, educational) positions. There was high satisfaction with PREP; alumni considered their participation relevant to post-matriculation employment and opportunities. Online education survey responses affirmed the need to develop this modality to meet demand from potential enrollees. Conclusions: Students’ diverse backgrounds and career pathways confirm current views of pain care as an interprofessional process (3). Alumni valued courses with non-biomedical content such as institutional change or provider-patient relationships. An unanticipated long-term consequence was creation of an ongoing PREP-related community of interest. References: 1)IOM (Institute of Medicine). 2011. Relieving Pain in America: A Blueprint for Transforming Prevention, Care, Education, and Research. Washington, DC: The National Academics Press. 2)Lasch K. Greenhill A. Wilkes G. Carr D. Lee M. Blanchard R. Why study pain? A qualitative analysis of medical and nursing faculty and students' knowledge of and attitudes to cancer pain management. Journal of Palliative Medicine. 5(1):57-71, 2002 Feb. 3)Interprofessional Education Collaborative Expert Panel. (2011). Core competencies for interprofessional collaborative practice: Report of an expert panel. Washington, D.C.: Interprofessional Education Collaborative.

Funding: None