Background & Aims

Education in neuromodulation has traditionally been a combination of isolated peer proctored teaching and industry funded cadaver workshops, resulting in limited exposure and unrecognised bias in techniques and subsequent therapy choice. There is a distinct need for unbiased, curriculum-based accreditation. NANS and INS have advocated a structured curriculum that maps the domains necessary for standardising education.
We present a university accredited portfolio of neuromodulation education free of industry bias; aiming to establish a standard of education in neuromodulation and pain management by offering university accreditation and postgraduate qualification to physicians, specialist nurses, field clinical-engineers and aspiring neuromodulation team members.

Methods

An education board was created to define and oversee the curriculum, program development, assessments and standard setting methodology for all modules – ensuring alignment with the domains of neuromodulation practice. This followed the delivery of two pilot CEPD programs in 2021 (Executive Education in Neuromodulation) that were both academically deliverable and financially sustainable. University approval through Queen Mary University, London was obtained through a rigorous governance process (Figure 1). Our program has received approval from INS, NANS and NSUKI.
The program consists of 4 modules (60 credits, 80 hours of didactic teaching delivered over 2 semesters). The program is comprised of online synchronous and asynchronous learning, designed to fit around students in full-time employment, allowing completion in one academic year through part-time study.

Results

The first ever university-accredited postgraduate qualification in neuromodulation was delivered in 2022-23. The 4 modules taught were ‘Anatomy and Neurophysiology’, ‘Patient Care and Procedurals Skills’, ‘Devices and Available Technology’, and ‘Intrathecal Drug Delivery for Cancer and Non-Cancer Pain’. Each module was taught online over 3 days and assessed via 2500-word assignment.  Each module consists of 4 weeks of self-learning and 8 hours of mentorship. The 2022-23 program had 34 applicants. 21 applicants were offered a place – 17 of these undertook the qualification (UK 11, India 3, Belgium 2, Ireland 1) – 13 candidates were physicians and 4 were field clinical engineers.
The 2022-23 cycle resulted in 12 candidates achieving distinctions, 2 achieving merits, 2 resitting their exams and 1 candidate deferring until the next PGCert cycle.
Lectures were delivered by the PGCert faculty which consists of 24 Key Opinion Leaders across Australia, Europe, Middle East, USA and the UK.

Conclusions

The postgraduate certification in neuromodulation aims to deliver a structured education, while setting and reviewing standards and competencies for best practice with its diverse educational content, expert international faculty and strict university governance. The executive KOL board aims to provide leadership and direction to the program to ensure an effective and integrated neuromodulation education portfolio.

References

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Presenting Author

Kavita Poply

Poster Authors

Gaurav Bajaj

MBBS, BSc

Barts Health NHS Trust

Lead Author

Kavita Poply

Barts Health NHS Trust

Lead Author

James Fitzgerald

Lead Author

Ashish Gulve

Lead Author

Ganesan Baranidharan

Lead Author

Philippe Rigoard

Lead Author

Frank Huygen

MD

Erasmus MC

Lead Author

Jan-Willem Kallewaard

Lead Author

Christopher Gilligan

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Lead Author

Kiran Patel

Lead Author

Alaa Abd-Elsayed

Lead Author

Marc Russo

Lead Author

Vivek Mehta

Barts Health NHS Trust

Lead Author

Topics

  • Education