A number of healthcare providers offer “pain management” services, so we offer the following insights to help patients have greater clarity about their options when seeking a medical professional to address their concerns.
When selecting a pain management doctor, it’s important to understand:
- Interventional pain management
- Fellowship training
- Board certification
What is an interventional pain management physician?
There is a misconception that pain management is focused on pills and medication. While that may be true at some clinics, pain management specialists with an interventional approach are doctors with special training in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic, acute, and sub-acute pain including:
- In-depth knowledge of the physiology of pain
- Expertise to evaluate patients with complicated pain problems
- Unique understanding of specialized tests for diagnosing pain conditions
- Advanced training to perform medical procedures when options like physical therapy and medication will not produce the desired outcome
What does it mean for a physician to be fellowship trained?
After earning a bachelor’s degree, medical students spend another four years of medical school to earn their doctoral degree. Afterward there is a multi-year residency program that all physicians must complete to practice medicine. Following their residency, the best of the best are offered fellowship positions that last one additional year and allow them to develop specialty training while learning from the most accomplished doctors in the respective field.
What does it mean for a physician to be Board-Certified in Pain Management?
Board certification is a voluntary option available to those in the specialty of pain management, but it is not a requirement. Certification is provided by the American Board of Anesthesiology, and its certification program as overseen by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Board certification tells patients that the doctor has specialty training and has passed both oral and written board examinations.
It is the gold standard when looking for a pain management specialist.
Board-certified interventional pain management doctors:
- Have the appropriate training, skills, and experience
- Stay up to-date with changes in the specialty, new technology, treatment options, and surgical techniques
Dr. David Arcella
Fellowship:
Harvard University School of Medicine, Brigham & Women’s Hospital
- Board Certifications:
American Board of Anesthesiology: Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology