USF Advanced Pain Management Fellowship is making a difference in rural America by tackling the opioid epidemic

The USF Health College of Nursing is determined to help mitigate the opioid epidemic in rural areas through an educational fellowship.

The Advanced Pain Management Fellowship provides experienced Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologists (CRNAs) from across the nation with a one-year program focused on non-opioid alternatives for pain. Fellowship training includes advanced procedures and techniques that were previously only available in large metropolitan areas.

“The majority of our fellows come from rural environments where they are providing pain management services in communities where these services were previously non-existent,” says Program Director, John Maye, PhD, CRNA.

CRNAs have been identified as the predominant anesthesia provider in underserved, rural communities and the demand for their services is overwhelming. An investigation published in the Morbidity and Mortality Report found that individuals in rural communities have an 87% higher chance of receiving an opioid prescription as compared to those individuals who live in urban communities.

In April, the program wrapped up its spring semester with a three-day cadaver and physical assessment training. USF fellows, faculty and corporate partners gathered from across the United States to train at USF Health Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS). During this training, fellows were evaluated on advanced pain-focused physical assessments and interventional procedures, using both ultrasound and fluoroscopy.

After the conclusion of the training, the USF fellows will complete their clinical residency training at one of 60 different USF approved training sites across the nation.

Learn more about the USF Health College of Nursing pain management fellowship here.