Abstract
ABSTRACTTherapeutic interventional techniques using fluoroscopy are often utilized in the management of spinal pain. Currently, there are no standardized means of instruction and assessment of fluoroscopic interventional spinal procedures for physiatry trainees. The aim of our study was to evaluate the utility of an interventional spine training course for PM&R residents in improving safety and efficacy when performing these procedures. We performed a prospective multiple cohort study analyzing interventional spine knowledge and procedural ability among PM&R residents after implementing a training course that utilized lectures, hands-on training, and video-recorded OSCE self-assessments. Out of the total of 28 PM&R residents over the two-year study period, each class saw a statistically significant improvement in mean OSCE scores from pre to post-examination (p < 0.05). Written examination scores also had a statistically significant pre to post improvement in the PGY2 and PGY3 classes. Our study supports the use of an interventional spine course for PM&R residents, and by following the existing cohorts and adding more cohorts in the future we will continue to demonstrate valuable and comprehensive results.
