Pain Management Traineeship

• Policies & Guidelines
• Application Form
• Curriculum
• General Program Information
• Mentors

Policies & Guidelines

I. Philosophy

Two of the objectives of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists Foundation are (1) to design, conduct, coordinate, and fund educational programs and initiatives that enhance appropriate, effective, and safe medication use in the senior population; and (2) to develop, support, and promote the patient-centered principles and practice of senior care pharmacy.

Accordingly, the ASCP Foundation conducts a post-graduate traineeship in pain management focusing on the geriatric population. The traineeship offers unique opportunities for pharmacists to learn new skills, sharpen existing skills, and render new services.

The Pain Management Traineeship is supported by an educational grant from Covidien and administered by the ASCP Foundation, 1321 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314.

II. Objectives

The ASCP Foundation Pain Management Traineeship focuses on patients in hospice / palliative care and post-acute / long-term care. Pain management issues in the acute care setting are not covered. See the curriculum.

The primary objectives of the ASCP Foundation Pain Management Traineeship are to:

• Prepare pharmacists to provide a high level of pharmaceutical care to geriatric patients with acute and chronic pain, including those suffering from malignant and nonmalignant pain conditions
• Prepare pharmacists to be effective members of the interdisciplinary team caring for patients with pain
• Create pharmacist advocates for appropriate care and treatment of persons with acute and chronic pain in the settings where they practice
• Positively impact the way pharmacists and other health care professionals perceive the pharmacists' role in the care and treatment of persons with acute and chronic pain

The full-time, five-day (Monday through Friday) traineeship will provide individualized, intensive, didactic and experiential training for selected practicing pharmacists. It will offer the trainee an opportunity to observe and participate in the development of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment plans for persons suffering from acute and chronic pain conditions in a hospice / palliative care setting and a nursing facility.

The trainee will gain knowledge of the etiologies and pathophysiology of pain and the appropriate diagnosis and assessment of acute and chronic pain. In addition, the trainee will gain an understanding of appropriate treatment for pain symptomology, including both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions; management of medication side effects and complications; barriers to appropriate care and treatment; the significant role of patients and caregivers as members of the treatment team; and legal and regulatory issues.

The traineeship also offers the opportunity for pharmacists to work with an interdisciplinary team consisting of pharmacists, physicians, nurses, expressive therapists, nurse practitioners, nurse aides, social workers, family members, other caregivers, and patients to positively impact the treatment outcomes.

Upon successful completion of the Pain Management Traineeship, the participant will be able to:

1. Describe the etiology, pathophysiology, types, and presentation of acute and chronic pain disorders
2. Develop a comprehensive, individualized, team-oriented and patient-directed plan of care for the treatment of pain
3. Conduct pain management assessments for older adults who are cognitively intact and non-cognitively intact
4. Define appropriate goals and outcomes of nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatments in various health care and community-based settings
5. Explain the complementary nature of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments (e.g., massage therapy, distraction, cognitive/behavioral interventions, etc.)
6. Define and differentiate the goals, tasks, and constraints of other persons involved in the care of persons with acute and chronic pain
7. Outline the numerous barriers impeding optimal pain management (e.g., legal, educational, regulatory, ethical, and cultural) on individuals, institutions, and society and identify strategies to overcome these barriers
8. Apply the most appropriate pain management guidelines in his/her practice setting(s) and track changes in practice that lead to improved pain management outcomes

1. The applicant will be a graduate of a school or college of pharmacy accredited by the American Council on Pharmacy Education or the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs. NOTE: Applicants from outside the United States and Canada should contact the ASCP Foundation regarding this qualification.
2. The applicant will actively practice pharmacy and have at least two years experience in pharmacy practice or comparable qualifications.
3. The applicant will demonstrate strong clinical knowledge and skills by citing clinical practice experience.
4. The applicant will have a demonstrated interest in the pharmacotherapy and overall treatment of pain.
5. The applicant will be affiliated with health care facilities or organizations able and willing to implement the results of the traineeship experience.

IV. Application Procedure

1. The applicant must submit the completed application form and the exhibits listed in item 2 below.
2. The following items of information are to be appended to the application form, each clearly labeled in the upper right-hand corner, as indicated (Exhibit A, Exhibit B, Exhibit C):

Exhibit A. Curriculum vitae, which must include the applicant's education, experience record in pharmacy practice (in reverse chronological order, most recent first), and any relevant publications, presentations, and community service.

Exhibit B. A statement of not more than three typed, double-spaced pages describing:

1. Why the applicant wants to participate in the traineeship and the applicant's expectations of the traineeship experience
2. Nature and extent of professional or personal involvement with persons with acute or chronic pain conditions
3. Current level of clinical services provided by the applicant, including total number of patients served, geographic distribution (urban, rural, suburban), and ethnic distribution (Black, White, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, American Indian/Eskimo/Aleut)
4. Special services or programs provided by the applicant
5. How the traineeship will enhance the pharmacy services currently provided
6. How the results of the traineeship experience will be incorporated into the applicant's practice

Exhibit C.* A letter from the applicant's employer or affiliated institution or organization confirming support for the applicant's participation in the traineeship and willingness to implement the results of the traineeship experience. The letter should be addressed to the applicant and signed by the chief executive officer, director of pharmacy, clinical coordinator, or other appropriate manager / supervisor in the institution or organization.

*If the applicant is self-employed, this exhibit may be omitted.

V. Selection Procedure

1. Applications will be reviewed and ranked by a selection panel appointed by the ASCP Foundation. Decisions of the selection panel will be final and without appeal.
2. Selection will be based solely on information submitted to the ASCP Foundation by the traineeship applicant.
3. The ASCP Foundation will notify all traineeship applicants of the outcome of their applications.

VI. Conduct and Administration of the Traineeship

1. The ASCP Foundation is the administrator of the traineeship.
2. The traineeship is awarded to an individual applicant.
3. The trainee is responsible for travel to the traineeship site, hotel, meals, and all incidental expenses.
4. The trainee may be required to sign a waiver of liability and a confidentiality agreement appropriate to the specific training sites.
5. Prior to the traineeship, each participant is expected to prepare one case study for discussion during the traineeship. The case study should describe a typical, challenging patient being cared for by the trainee. Case study forms will be distributed prior to the traineeship.
6. The trainee will be required to participate in all sessions of the activity, complete an evaluation of the traineeship, and submit two case consults (see section VII, item 1, below).

VII. Requirements of the Trainee

In order to ensure the traineeship participants use the skills and knowledge gained in some measurable way, the following post-traineeship requirements must be met:

1. Traineeship participants are expected to write up and submit to the ASCP Foundation two case consults for which they made recommendations for treatment or interventions to improve care of patients with acute or chronic pain. The case consults will include:
   1. Description of the problem
   2. Treatment / intervention recommended and why
   3. Goals of treatment / intervention plan
   4. How staff, caregivers, family members, and patients were involved in treatment decisions and monitoring
   5. Expected outcomes
   6. How outcomes were measured
   7. Actual outcomes and how and why they differed from the expected outcomes

   The format for the case consults will be distributed after the traineeship.

2. Traineeship participants are expected to become involved with state or local organizations, such as State Pain Initiatives, Pain Management Board, Partners Against Pain, Arthritis Foundation, Fibromyalgia Association, or participate in other ways to meet a specific need within their community.
   
   
3. Traineeship participants will have the opportunity to participate in the ASCP Foundation Traineeship Network by attending meetings and educational programs at ASCP's Spring Conference and Annual Meeting and by subscribing to the Foundation's Traineeship Network Email List Serv. Traineeship participants may be asked to participate in educational programs at ASCP meetings and assist the ASCP Foundation in promoting the traineeship.

VIII. Continuing Education

Participants will earn 3.5 CEUs (35 contact hours) for successful completion of the Pain Management Traineeship, a Practice-based Continuing Pharmacy Education activity. To receive continuing education credit, trainees must participate in all sessions of the activity, complete an evaluation at the conclusion of the traineeship and submit two case consults. Instructions for obtaining statements of continuing education credit will be provided to participants within one month after successful completion of the activity and receipt of the evaluation and case consults.

®	The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This is activity number 0203-0000-11-104-L01-P.

ASCP Foundation

The ASCP Foundation is the research and education affiliate of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. The mission of the ASCP Foundation is to improve the health and well-being of older persons through appropriate, effective, and safe medication use. The ASCP Foundation provides leadership, innovation, and expertise in medicines and aging to seniors and those who care for them. The unique focus of the ASCP Foundation is the development, integration, and application of knowledge regarding medication use in the senior population and the practice of senior care pharmacy to optimize health care outcomes.