In addition to the evaluation of patients, fellows gain expertise in fluoroscopically guided interventional pain techniques, such as various nerve blocks, neuraxonal blocks, joint injections, neurolytic procedures, and radiofrequency lesioning. A multidisciplinary approach is widely used and encouraged, through the regular and active participation of a pain psychologist, physical therapists, and neurologists. Various treatment modalities include acupuncture, biofeedback, physical therapy, psychotherapy, and interventional techniques such as local anesthetic and neurolytic nerve blocks, implantable pumps, and spinal cord stimulators. The importance of didactics is emphasized through weekly multidisciplinary pain conferences, didactic lectures, and journal clubs. Weekly anesthesiology grand rounds and clinical conferences help fellows to remain updated with Anesthesiology.
Fellows are regular presenters at weekly didactic lectures.
Interaction with well-renowned anesthesiology faculty helps fellows to prepare for Board examination. Participation of pain management fellowship trainees in research is included. A significant involvement in basic science research would likely result in a prolongation of the training period beyond the one-year clinical fellowship program. Fellow applicants for this dynamic, multi-faceted, multidisciplinary pain fellowship program must provide a copy of their current CV, a formal personal statement letter, and three letters of recommendation, one of which should be from their Department Chairman. It is the home of the St. Louis Rams, Cardinals, and Blues, and a place of varied cultural and recreational activities.