PM&R Resident E-Newsletter

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September 2015

{b7f6a7f0-d039-4e56-918f-c49267f65da7}_Leda_GhannadPM&R Sports Medicine: An Interview with Leda Ghannad, MD

Leda Ghannad, MD
2014 – 2015 Pediatric Sports Medicine Fellow
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago/McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University

How did you become interested in pediatric sports medicine?
Dr. Ghannad: I became interested in pediatric sports medicine during an elective I did during my PM&R PGY3 at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, department of orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine. I found that I was seeing far more true sports-related injuries in kids than I had in the past with adults in my clinics. It was also a fun patient population to work with. The majority of patients I saw were high school athletes who were very motivated to get better and get back to their sports.

How many pediatric sports medicine fellowships are in the country? 
Dr. Ghannad: There are about 14 ACGME-accredited primary care sports medicine fellowships that are sponsored by pediatric departments. What this usually means is that these programs have a special focus on treating pediatric patients with sports injuries, while still meeting the requirements of an ACGME primary care sports medicine fellowship.

How is the curriculum of your pediatric sports medicine fellowship structured?
Dr. Ghannad: The curriculum is structured similar to primary care sports medicine programs. I spend half of my week in pediatric-focused clinics, including pediatric orthopedic sports medicine, pediatric primary care sports medicine (including concussion clinic), pediatric orthopedic spine (scoliosis) clinic, and pediatric orthopedic hand clinic. The other half of my week is spent in adult clinics, including a university student health musculoskeletal clinic, PM&R sports and spine clinic, and adult orthopedic sports medicine clinic.

Besides the age of the patient, what are some of the differences between a traditional sports medicine fellowship and a pediatric sports medicine fellowship?
Dr. Ghannad: Pediatric sports medicine fellowships tend to be less procedure and/or injection heavy. Our patients have more injuries directly related to sports participation, as opposed to degenerative conditions seen more often in adult populations. Our treatment plans primarily involve conservative management or surgical intervention, if needed. We also deal with more psychosocial issues at times, coordinating care between the patient, parents, coaches, and schools, and focus more on community outreach projects to educate parents and kids on injury prevention.

Is there game coverage during your fellowship? 
Dr. Ghannad: There are ample opportunities for game coverage during my fellowship, including varsity division I sports, university club sports, high school football, Olympic level ice skating, and local running competitions.

What job opportunities does a pediatric fellowship create for you?
Dr. Ghannad: I was able to apply to primary care sports medicine jobs and PM&R general rehabilitation and musculoskeletal jobs. My fellowship made me more marketable toward primary care sports medicine jobs because of the extra training in treating pediatric patients.

What have you enjoyed most during your fellowship?
Dr. Ghannad: The best part of my fellowship has been working as part of the sports medicine team at Lurie Children’s Hospital, including our attending physicians, athletic trainers, nurses, and administrative assistants. It has been a very positive team to work with. Our entire department is dedicated and enthusiastic about keeping kids healthy and active.

Where do you see the field of pediatric sports medicine in 10 years?
Dr. Ghannad: I think there will be an even greater need for pediatric-focused sports medicine physicians in the future as more and more kids are involved in competitive sports at a younger age. I also anticipate more research on injury prevention, especially when it comes to ACL injuries and concussions.

What recommendations do you have for residents that may be interested in a pediatric sports medicine fellowship?
Dr. Ghannad: I would recommend researching the different program options by searching pediatric sports medicine on the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). You can apply to most fellowships through ERAS as well. The deadlines are similar to other primary care sports medicine fellowships. Another great resource is the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) website or AMSSM fellowship fair held at their national conference each spring.

Inside this Issue: 

PM&R Sports Medicine: An Interview with Leda Ghannad, MD

Acupuncture Q&A

2015-2016 RPC Leadership Announced

Last Chance to Join Us in Boston!

Annual Assembly Workshop Volunteers Needed

NEW – Resident Experience on the Show Floor

Foundation for PM&R 5K Run/Walk & Roll

SAE-R Study Tools from Your Academy

We Have Career Resources for You

What's Coming Next

AAPM&R 2014–15 Resident Physician Council

Executive Committee

President
Elizabeth Martin, MD, MPH, MHS
PGY4—Stanford University

Past President
Danielle Sarno, MD
Associate Member—New York-Presbyterian/ Columbia/Cornell

Vice President
Brian W. Toedebusch, MD
PGY4—University of Missouri-Columbia

Secretary
Andrew B. Collins, MD
PGY4—University of Cincinnati/Cincinnati Children’s

the PM&R Resident

Editor
Andrew B. Collins, MD
PGY4— University of Cincinnati/Cincinnati Children’s

Contributing Authors

Marissa Darling, MD
Leda Ghannad, MD
Hyung S. Kim, MD


Acupuncture Q&A

{b3b7ed65-93e4-4c4f-93ab-01be61f5301d}_Marissa_DarlingMarissa Darling, MD 
Resident Physician
Residency Graduation: 2017
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System/UCLA Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program

 

{140017c4-cb46-4b76-b91d-b20c50f0931c}_Hyung_KimHyung S. Kim, MD 
Attending Physician, PM&R and Pain Medicine
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

Dr. Darling: What is acupuncture?

Dr. Kim: Acupuncture is a medical procedure whereby a solid needle is placed in different parts of the body for the purpose of treating medical conditions as well as to improve health and function. Acupuncture as a medical treatment dates back to over 3,000 years in the Far East. 

Dr. Darling: What is the role of acupuncture in PM&R? 
Dr. Kim: Given that large part of PM&R is in the treatment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disease, acupuncture can add to the treatment options available for patients with these types of medical conditions.

Dr. Darling: What is its role in chronic pain? 
Dr. Kim: Acupuncture in studies has shown to be an effective treatment in chronic pain patients and should be considered as a treatment option. 

Dr. Darling: How did you get involved in acupuncture? 
Dr. Kim: VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System was looking to add complementary and integrative medicine treatment options for veterans, and I volunteered to learn about acupuncture and to be trained in the delivery of this treatment for our veterans.

Dr. Darling: What motivated you to start acupuncture at the VA? 
Dr. Kim: Limitations with available treatments for patients with chronic pain and musculoskeletal disorders led me to seek alternatives beyond the then available treatment options.

Dr. Darling: What were patient expectations? 
Dr. Kim: There was a wide range of responses regarding the availability of acupuncture at the VA, from skepticism to enthusiasm.

Dr. Darling: How did they respond to treatments? 
Dr. Kim: Many patients report great benefit from acupuncture. Anecdotal reports of improved function and reduction of need for medications have been received. Research studies examining the benefits of acupuncture for our veterans are ongoing.

Dr. Darling: Has learning acupuncture changed the way you practice? 
Dr. Kim: Learning acupuncture allowed me to offer patients an additional treatment option for their pain, one that does not involve medications or injections. It has allowed me to offer patients an alternative to currently available treatment options, many of which have side effects and some, such as opioids, can be misused.

Dr. Darling: Who should be referred to an acupuncturist? 
Dr. Kim: Anyone with chronic pain and musculoskeletal issues who do not have an active skin disease can potentially benefit from acupuncture.

Dr. Darling: Who can practice acupuncture? 
Dr. Kim: It varies from state to state. In the state of California, acupuncturists who maintain a valid license issued by the Acupuncture Board and physicians licensed by the Medical Board of California may provide acupuncture. A dentist or podiatrist licensed in California may also practice acupuncture within the scope of their respective licenses, if they have completed the necessary training required by their respective licensing board.

Dr. Darling: Any advice to those of us who are interested in incorporating acupuncture into our training or future practice? 
Dr. Kim: I would urge those interested in incorporating acupuncture to look into the CME courses provided by various training programs. A popular course for physicians interested in acupuncture include the medical acupuncture course by Dr. Joseph Helms and Structural Acupuncture Course for Physicians.

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2015-2016 RPC Leadership Announced

The RPC includes all AAPM&R resident members, helping them prepare to provide optimal physiatric services to patients and the specialty. The RPC Board's mission is to assume an active role in the function of the Academy—specifically in the areas of membership, medical education, physiatric practice, health care legislation, and awareness—while building an active PM&R resident community. The mission also includes the enhancement of communication between PM&R residents, the AAPM&R Board of Governors, and other members.

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We are proud to announce the 2015–2016 RPC Executive Committee members:
President:Stephanie Tow, MD (PGY3–University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center)
Past President:Elizabeth Martin, MD, MPH, MHS (PGY4–Stanford University)
Vice President:Jason Leung, MD (PGY3–University of Michigan)
Secretary:David Gutierrez, MD (PGY3–Montefiore/Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

We are proud to announce the 2015–2016 RPC Committee members and liaisons:

Membership Committee:Justin Weppner, DO (PGY2–University of Virginia) and Arlene Lazaro, DO (PGY2–Mt Sinai Health Sys)
Medical Education Committee:Gaurav S. Sharma, MD (PGY2–UCLA/VAGLA) and Kunj Patel, MD, MSc (PGY2– Emory University Affiliated Hospital)
Quality, Practice, Policy, and Research Committee:Charles Odonkor, MD, MA (PGY3– Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine) and Prasantha B. Katta, DO, JD, LLM (PGY2– University of Kentucky)
Residency Program Liaison:Rachel Welbel, MD (PGY3– New York Presbyterian Hospital)
AMA-RFS Delegate:Carlo Milani, MD, MBA (PGY3– University of Washington)

We are proud to announce the 2015–2016 RPC Nominating Committee members:

Nominating Committee:Marisa Flavin, MD (PGY3– Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital) and Jason Frederick, MD (PGY3– Kansas University Medical Center)

Last Chance to Join Us in Boston!

Don’t miss this year’sAnnual Assemblyin Boston, October 1-4! With approximately 500 residents attending each year, the AAPM&R Annual Assembly is the largest annual gathering of PM&R residents. Balancing the clinical with the practical, the Annual Assembly is an excellent opportunity for residents in PM&R programs to learn more about the specialty and AAPM&R.

We have plenty of educational and networking opportunities designed just for you:

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Residents receive over 60% off the regular registration rate.Check out theAcademy's website for session information and networking events.

Annual Assembly Workshop Volunteers Needed

Planning on attending #AAPMR2015? Volunteer a bit of your time—and reap the rewards! Various workshops require the assistance of volunteers and AAPM&R welcomes and appreciates the help of its resident members. Residents who volunteer to assist with a workshop will be given complimentary access to that session, and eligible for remuneration ($100 per day for most). If you are interested in volunteering,please click here to access the 2015 Annual Assembly Workshop Volunteer Survey! Contact the AAPM&R Meetings Team atmeetings@aapmr.orgwith any questions.

NEW – Resident Experience on the Show Floor

Friday, October 2
7 am–9 am

Participate in thisnew residents-only sessionon the Exhibit Hall floor. This is your chance to learn directly from up to 6 companies about their products and how they affect the patients you treat in a relaxed, compliant setting. Sponsor products include ultrasound, botulinum toxins, and intrathecal therapies. There will be hands-on opportunities for some to explore and learn about products. Attendees have the option of exploring a company’s products during the remaining open Exhibit Hall hours.

Take advantage of this new experience. Attendees will be divided into 6 groups and will spend 15 minutes at each participating sponsors’ booth. Participants who visit all 6 booths will be entered to win AAPM&R giveaways, including tickets to the President’s Reception, gift cards, and more! Coffee and a light snack will be offered.

Registration is open to the first 200 residents and is complimentary, butyou must be registered for the Annual Assembly to attend.

Foundation for PM&R 5K Run/Walk & Roll

Join your colleagues for an early morning run to raise money for PM&R research. Registration is just $15 for residents. Sign up when you register for theAnnual Assemblyor onsite at the Foundation booth #1433 in the Exhibit Hall. All funds raised through registration fees and donations will be used for physiatric research.

SAE-R Study Tools from Your Academy

The AAPM&R self-assessment examination for residents (SAE-R) takes place January 2016 and consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. Are you prepared?

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Your Academy has several online resources to help you study.Many of these resources are available on mē® at a discounted rate for residents.

  • Abridged SAE-Rs: Each abridged SAE-R provides a taste of what to expect with January’s exam by featuring questions covering 10-12 clinical areas of PM&R.
  • Self-Assessment Examinations for Practitioners (SAE-Ps): SAE-Ps are a great way to zone in on 1 clinical area and evaluate your knowledge. Plus, some include review articles.
  • Certification Exam Prep Qbank: This online exam study tool covers the 12 PM&R core topics of the specialty through 800+ questions. Several topics provide additional questions and answers as an added study feature!

We Have Career Resources for You

What's Coming Next

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Look for the next issue of thePM&R Residentin your email inbox in December.

Want more resident-specific content before then?“Like” the Academy on Facebookto get additional articles written by your peers right in your news feed.

Missed the last issue? Check it out on theAcademy’s website.