How would you design a perioperative pain plan that minimizes opioid use while still providing effective pain control?
Specialty-Specific
Purpose
This question checks your understanding of modern pain management, especially the need for opioid-sparing strategies. Interviewers want to see if you can balance effective pain relief with responsible prescribing.
Tips
- Start by acknowledging the importance of effective pain control while minimizing opioid use.
- Discuss a multimodal approach that includes various medications and techniques targeting different pain pathways.
- Outline your plan across the entire perioperative period: pre-op, intra-op, and post-op, with specific strategies for each phase.
Common mistakes
- Don't just focus on opioids; make sure to mention non-opioid options and regional anesthesia.
- Avoid vague statements; be specific about the medications and techniques you would use.
- Don't forget to personalize your plan based on the patient's history and type of surgery.