Comparison of Current Post-Graduate Pain Management and Palliative Care Pharmacy Residency Programs

Post-graduate pharmacy residency training in pain management and palliative care is continuing to increase in availability. It is expected that there will be further expansion in the need for specialty trained pain and palliative care pharmacists as the population continues to age and prevalence of pain increases; however, descriptions of current post-graduate year 2 pain management and palliative care residencies are limited. The purpose of this survey is to collect program information and compare baseline characteristics of the currently available programs. Data collected included funding source, required and elective experiences, residency program director training, jobs held by residents upon completion of the program, and preceptor availability/training. Of the 15 respondents, baseline characteristics were variable. Outpatient chronic pain management was the most commonly selected required experience. Approximately 33% of residency program directors had completed a post-graduate year two residency in pain management and palliative care, and the majority of responding programs were funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The characteristics of responding programs illustrates the diversity of current post-graduate pain management and palliative care residency opportunities. The results of this survey help evaluate these opportunities and will provide valuable information as this specialty continues to progress.