Development of a Cadaver Lab Curriculum for Interventional Spine Procedure For PM&R Residents.

ABSTRACT There is no standardized curriculum for teaching interventional spine procedures during residency. The objective of this protocol was to share a curriculum utilizing a cadaver lab for teaching PM&R residents interventional spine procedures which can be an effective and safe medium to train residents. This protocol provides a checklist that can guide the residents while they are in the cadaver lab with a focus on some of the most common lumbar procedures. Twelve PM&R resident's confidence in their ability to maneuver the x-ray image intensifier (C-arm), identify spine anatomy under fluoroscopy and drive the needle improved after the training curriculum (p < 0.005). While the cadaver lab curriculum is not a replacement for the required ACGME training, it may serve as a tool to improve resident preparedness for spine procedures.