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In 2008 our Board of Directors unanimously approved our certification credentialing program. I would like to tell you a little bit about the program.
The IVAPM founders specifically patterned our group after the American Academy of Pain Management (AAPM), the largest pain organization in the United States. Like the AAPM, we aim to serve the broadest possible range of health professionals.
We believe that most chronic pain is best managed through an interdisciplinary approach; that effective pain management can be best achieved through cooperation, shared knowledge, and the collective wisdom of healthcare professionals from many disciplines. The goal is to network allopathic and complementary clinicians together to develop superior ways to provide quality care for patients with chronic pain.
The IVAPM certification program, like the AAPM certification process, is designed to represent a minimum level of competence as an interdisciplinary pain practitioner.
Our program is designed to best meet the needs of our core membership, the small animal practitioner in North America. However, this program remains relevant to all veterinary pain related professionals as it is focused on the foundational principles of pain management. Once this program is established, we will then begin work on modifications of this program as needed for members focused on other species and those practicing in other areas of the world.
We are planning 2 additional programs in the not too distant future which will offer credentialing as a Fellow and Diplomate of the Academy, both reflecting the needs and capabilities of members functioning at more advanced pain practitioner levels.
Our current program will lead to the title of Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP) for veterinarians and licensed technicians; Certified Animal Pain Practitioner (CAPP) for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants with certification in canine rehabilitation.
This program is an evolutionary step based upon the IVAPM credentialing structure initial developed in 2005. There have been a number of modifications to bring our program in line with the many certification programs that have now become well established in our profession. Most notably, the title was changed from Credentialed Pain Practitioner to Certified VPP and we have eliminated any differences in the title between the various health professional subgroups. Our CE requirement was increased to a level consistent with the other certification programs. In addition, a basic skills requirement was added to parallel the practical aspects of the established canine rehabilitation and acupuncture certification programs.
Our certification program is intended to emphasize the value of the many disciplines capable of enhancing patient comfort and quality of life; to facilitate an understanding of the modalities not necessarily in the member’s current area of familiarity. We hope to facilitate the networking of professionals engaged in allopathic modalities, physical rehabilitation, and complimentary alternative therapies. It is a foundation upon which the veterinary profession can build the most effective multidisciplinary pain management team.
The next planned IVAPM examination will be coordinated with our CVC/IVAPM meeting in August of 2010. Below you will find a link to a timeline for certification requirements.
There are alternative options for many of the core requirements made necessary by the relative infancy of veterinary pain management. Over time, the process will be modified as veterinary pain management matures.
I would appreciate it if you would make a point of spreading the word regarding our certification program to all veterinary practitioners, technicians, rehabilitation therapists, and acupuncturists.
Cheers,
Mark
Mark Epstein, DVM, DABVP
President, IVAPM
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CVPP Certification
