ABPN Pain Medicine study guide
ABPN Pain Medicine · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
Pain Medicine subspecialty certification is administered by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties. It recognizes physicians who already hold primary certification and who want formal, examination-based documentation of advanced competence in evaluating and treating acute and chronic pain. The ABPN Pain Medicine study guide has 6 sections and about 1,876 words.
01Pain Assessment, Diagnosis, and Clinical Evaluation
Pain is a biopsychosocial experience, so the evaluation must capture mechanism, anatomy, and psychosocial context. Begin by classifying pain as nociceptive (somatic or visceral), neuropathic, nociplastic, or mixed; this drives subsequent testing and treatment.
349 words, about 2 min02Pharmacologic Management of Pain
Multimodal analgesia combines agents with different mechanisms to improve efficacy and reduce dose-related toxicity. Nonopioid foundations include acetaminophen and NSAIDs, but screen for hepatic, renal, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular risk.
320 words, about 2 min03Interventional and Procedural Pain Management
Interventional pain medicine rests on patient selection, informed consent, image guidance, and complication management. Know indications and contraindications for epidural steroid injections, facet medial branch blocks and radiofrequency neurotomy, sacroiliac joint injections, sympathetic blocks, trigger-point injections, joint injections, spinal cord stimulation, and intrathecal drug delivery.
312 words, about 2 min04Psychological, Behavioral, and Rehabilitative Approaches
Psychological and rehabilitative approaches target the modifiable contributors to persistent pain: catastrophizing, fear-avoidance, depression, anxiety, sleep disruption, deconditioning, and loss of role function. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps patients identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors; acceptance and commitment therapy emphasizes values-based action rather than symptom elimination; mindfulness and biofeedback reduce arousal and improve coping.
303 words, about 2 min05Multidisciplinary and Interdisciplinary Pain Care
A multidisciplinary team involves several disciplines working in parallel; an interdisciplinary team coordinates assessment, goals, and communication around a shared biopsychosocial plan. The core team usually includes a physician, psychologist, physical and occupational therapist, nurse, pharmacist, social worker, and vocational counselor, with the patient as an essential member.
298 words, about 1 min06Ethics, Law, and Practice Management in Pain Medicine
Practice in pain medicine requires informed consent, confidentiality, appropriate controlled-substance prescribing, and careful documentation. Informed consent includes capacity, voluntariness, disclosure of risks, benefits, and alternatives (including no treatment), and confirmation of understanding.
294 words, about 1 min