1.
1. Who is eligible for this
certification program?
a.
All licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians, as
well as physical therapists and physical therapist assistants with canine
rehabilitation certification (CCRT, CCRA, CCRP)
2.
2. Is there a difference between the
requirements for veterinarians versus technicians, physical therapists, or
physical therapist assistants?
a.
No. The requirements are the same and the title will likely
be the same for all eligible health professionals.
3.
3. What are the basic requirements?
a.
Minimum 5 years in full time practice (or equivalent) prior
to the certification examination date
b.
Minimum 1 year as IVAPM member prior to the certification
examination date
c.
Curriculum Vitae/Biography (CV/Bio) with picture
d.
3 letters of recommendation
4.
4. Who should write my letters of
recommendation?
a.
Your letters should be written by a Diplomate (AVMA, AVA,
ECV, AAPM or regional equivalent), CVA, CCRP, CCRT, CCRA, VTS.
5.
5. Why do I need to have the letters written by
a credentialed professional?
a.
This encourages networking with colleagues who are well
positioned to be supportive of pain related case management.
6.
6. What do I do if there aren’t any
credentialed professionals in my area?
a.
For those members that lack access to any of the above
credentialed professionals, we will accept letters written by any licensed
veterinary health professional or licensed human health professional.
b.
This option removes any restriction associated with
professionals in more remote settings while helping the applicant network
with their colleagues on the subject of pain management.
c.
Member should include a letter clarifying their need for
this alternative option.
7.
7. What information should be included in these
letters?
a.
A standardized form will be provided by the IVAPM to
facilitate the reference process.
8.
8. What are the continuing education (CE) requirements
for IVAPM certification?
a.
90 hours of pain management related CE during the 8 years
prior to the application deadline.
9.
9. It isn’t easy to find extensive veterinary
pain related CE. What are my options to satisfy this requirement?
a.
Due to the infancy of veterinary pain management we are
looking at the broadest possible range of acceptable CE and CE equivalents
to include:
i.
Major veterinary and human meeting pain related CE
1.
Judgments will have to be made, as inclusively as is
reasonable, by the Applications Committee
ii.
Rehab and acupuncture training programs
1.
Canine Rehabilitation Institute
2.
University of Tennessee Rehabilitation Programs
3.
Chi Institute, MAS/Colorado, IVAS
iii.
Internship/observation time spent at anesthesia/pain
management services, up to a limit of 45 total CE equivalent hours.
1.
Examples of acceptable observational sites includes:
a.
Veterinary Teaching Hospital with Diplomate (ACVA, ACVECC,
AVA, ECVAA, AAPM or regional equivalent), VTS (ECC, Anesthesia) conducting
advanced pain management services.
b.
Private veterinary pain management practice with Diplomate (ACVA,
ACVECC, AVA, ECVAA, AAPM or regional equivalent), VTS (ECC, Anesthesia)
conducting advanced pain management services.
c.
Human pain management practice (with pain management
physician). Approval will be on a case by case basis by the Applications
Committee.
d.
Diplomates not listed in (i.) and (ii.) above will be
considered as suitable observational mentors assuming they are conducting
advanced pain management services. Approval will be on a case by case
basis by the Applications Committee.
2.
The candidate will need to include a letter describing the
characteristics and capabilities of pain management related services at
which they observed patient care. The observational mentor will need to
sign a log listing the days and hours the applicant spent on their
service.
iv.
Internship/observation time spent observing pain
oriented patient management with a certified veterinary or licensed human
rehabilitation professional OR internship/observation time spent with a
certified veterinary or human acupuncturist up to a limit of 20 total CE
equivalent hours.
1.
The candidate
will need to include a letter describing the characteristics and
capabilities of pain management related services at which they observed
patient care. The observational mentor will need to sign a log listing the
days and hours the applicant spent on their service.
v.
RACE approved onsite or online pain management CE
hours.
1.
See: http://www.aavsb.org/RACE/RACEHome.aspx.
vi.
Online pain related CE from all major veterinary and human
pain related organizations:
1.
American Pain Society (APS), International Association for
the Study of Pain (IASP), World Institute of Pain (WIP), American Society
of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA), American Academy of Pain
Management (AAPM), International Veterinary Information Service (IVIS),
Veterinary Information Network (VIN).
vii.
Non-RACE approved online veterinary industry based CE
will be considered on a case by case basis by the Applications Committee.
1010.
Why is the CE requirement 90 hours?
a.
The intent here is to parallel the established North
American certification programs. We want to establish legitimacy within
our current core membership. Adjustments will be considered, as needed, by
the International subcommittee to tailor this program as it is deployed
around the world.
1111.
If I have completed 90 CE hours at an acupuncture or canine rehabilitation
program is that all I need to satisfy my IVAPM certification CE
requirement?
a.
Yes, as long as the CE hours were conducted in the 8 year
period prior to the application deadline.
1212.
How will the test be structured?
a.
The examination will be 100 multiple choice, time-limited (3
hour), closed book examination.
1313.
Is the test the same for all eligible health professionals?
a.
Yes. The test will be the same for all members (DVMs, LVTs,
PTs, and PTAs).
1414.
What will the test questions cover?
a.
This test would emphasize foundational pain management
related principles while including elements specific to physical
rehabilitation therapy and acupuncture as they relate to pain management.
1515.
When and where will the examination take place?
a.
The test will initially be offered as an onsite examination
conducted in association with the CVC/IVAPM meeting in Kansas City, MO in
August 2009.
b.
This test will, eventually, be accessible internationally.
Target date for international accessibility is 2010.
1616.
Is an example examination available?
a.
Not yet. We will develop an example test at some point in
the not too distant future.
1717.
I cannot attend the CVC/IVAPM meeting in 2009. Is there an alternative
option to satisfy the examination requirement?
a.
Until the IVAPM certification test is available at more
sites and more locations, we will initially accept the candidate’s
successful passing of the AAPM credentialing process and its included
examination.
i.
The AAPM examination is available most weekdays in
multiple locations in each state around the US. For more details see:
1.
AAPM
examination site locations
2.
AAPM
credentialing information
b.
Members that certify under this provision may be subject to
additional recertification requirements above and beyond those required of
members credentialing with the IVAPM certification examination although
that has yet to be determined.
1818.
Why is a human pain academy’s examination acceptable for veterinary pain
management certification?
a.
This option is included to avoid the marked limitation to
the general membership of having only one site and date for the IVAPM
certification examination (which will be the case for the foreseeable
future). It will also encourage those with AAPM test familiarity to
participate in the test development process adding valuable insight into
our sister organization’s parallel test process.
b.
The AAPM examination shares a critical theme with the
planned IVAPM certification examination: it is focused on the core
principles of pain management. These principles are applicable to both
human and animal pain management. In addition, we believe that studying
the details of human pain management, at its advanced level, can only help
to broaden the IVAPM member’s perspective when managing animal pain.
c.
This is also a common theme with our alternative pathway CE
equivalent options above; a way to broaden initial membership eligibility
and satisfy the intent of the certification requirement.
1919.
Veterinary certification programs generally provide hands-on wet labs and
practical examinations. Why doesn’t the IVAPM certification program
include something similar?
a.
The Credentialing Committee recognizes that the veterinary
pain management community does not currently provide consistently
accessible wet labs. We have chosen a certification requirement intended
to embrace the spirit of wet labs and practical examinations; a required
skills list.
b.
We hope that the skills list requirement will serve as a
facilitator that encourages networking between allied pain related
professionals. For instance, an allopathic practitioner will be encouraged
to gain a few physical rehab skills or learn more about acupuncture’s
ability to enhance patient pain management.
c.
Our applicant must be able to demonstrate competency in any
10 of the following pain management related skills subcategories:
d.
Skills subcategories
i.
Allopathic oriented skills (9 options)
1.
Epidural drug selection
2.
Epidural needle placement
3.
Epidural catheter placement
4.
Basic local/regional anesthesia/pain medicine drug selection
(injectable, transdermal) and placement for blocks in at least three of
the following subcategories
a.
Declaw ring block
b.
Dental blocks (3 minimum)
c.
Intra-testicular
d.
Intra-articular
e.
Intercostal
f.
Transdermal applications
5.
Advanced local/regional anesthesia/pain medicine drug
selection and drug placement in at least two of the following
subcategories
a.
Axillary, sciatic, or femoral nerve
b.
Intrapleural or intraperitoneal
c.
Bier Block
d.
Continuous local anesthetic administration (Intrapleural,
Soaker catheter)
6.
Use of nerve locator for regional anesthesia/pain medicine
application purposes
7.
Constant rate infusion (CRI) analgesic drug selection
8.
Constant rate infusion (CRI) analgesic drug dose/volume
calculations and administration using a volume base syringe pump
9.
Constant rate infusion analgesic (CRI) drug dose/volume
calculations and administration using IV fluids
ii.
Physical rehabilitation skills (11 options)
1.
Goniometry
2.
Muscle mass measurement
3.
Neurologic examination/assessment
4.
Low level laser utilization (LLLT)
5.
Neuromuscular electrostimulation (NMES)
6.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
7.
Therapeutic ultrasound therapy (U/S)
8.
Joint compressions
9.
Joint mobilizations
10.
Joint traction
11.
Therapeutic massage
iii.
Acupuncture skills (4 options)
1.
Needle placement techniques
2.
Needle removal techniques
3.
Pain related acupuncture point selection
4.
Electrostimulation unit utilization
2020.
How will I verify my skills competency?
a.
We recommend that you have your skills competency verified
by a Diplomate (AVMA, AVA, ECV, AAPM or regional equivalent), CVA, CCRP,
CCRT, CCRA, or VTS.
2121.
What do I do if there aren’t any credentialed professionals in my area?
a.
For those members that lack access to any of the above
credentialed professionals, we will accept confirmation of skills
competency verified by any licensed veterinary health professional or
licensed human health professional.
b.
This option removes any restriction associated with
professionals in more remote settings while helping the applicant network
with their colleagues on the subject of pain management.
c.
Member should include a letter clarifying their need for
this alternative option.
d.
Video documentation may be considered as an option for
applicant in an area where no licensed veterinary or human health
professional is available to verify skills competency.
2222.
What medications and equipment are required to demonstrate a minimum
level of capability as an animal pain practitioner?
a.
The following pain management related medications and equipment
should be available to the applicant. The specific requirements are based
upon the particular pain related services provided by the applicant.
i.
Applicants providing allopathic pain management services:
1.
Available pain management medications should include
medications from the following major analgesic categories:
a.
Opioids
b.
NMDA antagonists
c.
Na channel blockers
d.
Ca channel blockers
e.
NSAIDs
2.
Available pain management related equipment should include 3
of the following:
a.
IV fluid pump or IV syringe pump
b.
Epidural supplies
c.
CRI calculators/recipe resources
d.
Nerve locator
ii.
Applicants providing rehabilitation therapy related
pain management services:
1.
Available physical rehabilitation related equipment should
include 7 of the following:
a.
Goniometer
b.
Gulick tape measure
c.
TENS
d.
NMES
e.
Therapeutic U/S
f.
Low level laser
g.
Cavaletti rails
h.
Therapy balls, therapy bands
i.
Balance boards
iii.
Applicants providing acupuncture/TCVM therapy related
pain management services:
1.
Available acupuncture related equipment should include 2 of
the following:
a.
Needles
b.
Herbals
c.
Electrostimulation unit
2323.
How do I verify that I have the expected medications and equipment?
a.
A simple list and picture of the expected equipment and
medications should accompany the member’s application package.
b.
Allopathic applicants should include pictures of their
controlled drug storage and record keeping as required by regional laws
and regulations.
2424.
What do I do if I am in a position that does not currently allow access to
the above medications and equipment?
a.
The IVAPM acknowledges that some members are not currently
in a setting that allows access to any of the above drugs and equipment.
An example would be those in a purely teaching oriented position. A waiver
will be considered for those in similarly limited settings with such
waivers being extended by the Applications Committee on a case by case
basis.
i.
Member should include a letter clarifying their need
for this alternative option.
2525.
Will this program require case report submission?
a.
Yes. Two total case reports will be required.
2626.
What types of cases are eligible for submission?
a.
These case reports may pertain to perioperative pain
management, major acute or chronic pain management and should reflect a
well structured, balanced analgesic strategy.
i.
These two case reports must represent different pain
related scenarios.
2727.
What is the Academy looking for in the case reports?
a.
These case reports should reflect a coherent thought process
regarding patient assessment and management. We are not looking for
clinical case reports as might be considered for publication in JAVMA or
other peer reviewed journal indexed in Pubmed.
2828.
Will case reports be judged differently for the various professional
subgroups?
a.
No. Case report review criteria will be the same for DVMs,
LVTs, PTs, and PTAs.
2929.
What other details pertain to the case reports?
a.
Case reports should involve patient care delivered during
the 5 year period preceding the applicant’s packet submission.
b.
The applicant must have successfully completed the
examination requirement prior to case report submission.
c.
Case reports should be submitted within 6 months of the
applicant’s successful completion of the examination.
d.
Case reports must be accepted within two years of the
applicant’s successful completion of the examination.
3030.
How long after application do I have to successfully complete the
certification process?
a.
Candidates must satisfy all requirements within 3 years of
the application deadline for which the applicant is accepted as being
credential eligible. After 3 years, the applicant will be required to
reinitiate the credentialing application process.
3131.
Is this program exclusionary?
a.
No. This is a very inclusive program. No licensed veterinary
pain management related professional is excluded from eligibility.
3232.
These requirements seem quite challenging. Is it too tough?
a.
We don’t think so. Other than the initial 5 years in
practice, it is possible to satisfy all of the other requirements in a
devoted 2 to 3 week block of time. By comparison, the Fellow program (FIVAPM)
will most likely require a minimum of 2 years to complete its
requirements. The Diplomate program will most likely require a minimum of
4 to 5 years to complete its requirements.
b.
We want this program to be challenging and meaningful while
remaining manageable for all members.
3333.
Why did the Academy select the title, Certified Veterinary Pain
Practitioner, for this program?
a.
Since the IVAPM Credentialing Committee first started the
development of our credentialing program in 2004 we have seen the
establishment of many well regarded pain management related certification
programs. We looked very carefully at the details of these programs and
created a program that mirrored the core elements of these established
programs.
b.
We wanted to avoid the confusion we felt would occur should
we have chosen a new title unfamiliar to both health professionals and the
pet owning public.
c.
We will need to make sure the certification title is
acceptable to regional veterinary authorities. It is possible that PTs and
PTAs will need to be given the title Certified Animal Pain Practitioner (CAPP).
3434.
Will the IVAPM certification title be bestowed for life?
a.
No, there will be periodic recertification requirements to
remain eligible to use this title.
3535.
What would you recommend as a way to achieve the overall requirements
while developing the broadest understanding of the various pain management
related disciplines?
a.
One attractive option is to start by attending the CVC/IVAPM
meeting August 24th and 25th in Kansas City, MO. Add
the introductory courses in canine rehabilitation therapy and acupuncture.
3636.
Future planning and adaptations include:
a.
A lab animal/exotics subcommittee is planned to adapt this
program, as needed, to this area of veterinary practice.
b.
A large animal/food animal subcommittee is planned to adapt
this program, as needed, to this area of veterinary practice.
c.
An international subcommittee is planned to adapt all
aspects of this program, as needed, to other regions around the world.
i.
This subcommittee will need to work with the
Examination Committee to structure the most appropriate deployment
of our examination to other regions of the world. |
