With Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn already taking up so much of our free time, why would a busy pain physician consider adding TikTok to their social media routine? With more people receiving their news through social media, it’s more critical than ever that doctors convey accurate information to the public about pain medicine and pain treatment, and TikTok has grown to be one of the best platforms to spread awareness to interested audiences.

In this episode of the Pain Matters Podcast, host Shravani Durbhakula, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., sits down with anesthesiologist and social media sensation Kunal Sood, MD, whose TikTok account reaches more than 1.4 million followers. Dr. Sood focuses on putting his own twist on the trends while providing a valuable resource for viewers, and in this episode, he shares how other physicians can use the platform to spread awareness of the latest news in pain medicine.

Tune in to discover:

• A basic overview of how TikTok works and how its evolving user demographics is allowing doctors to reach a broad audience
• How good actors can break through the rampant misinformation on these social media platforms
• Ways to protect yourself from liability on the platform, such as pushing viewers to talk to their doctor
• Additional tips for creating videos, publishing content, and creating a following 
• How your TikTok following can help you grow your audience on other platforms

Beginning in 2020, we saw an exponential growth of opioid overdose deaths throughout the nation alongside an increase in the isolation of at-risk individuals, economic instability, impeded access to care, a shortage of PPE, and self-medication for high-stress levels. Though some of the risk factors have declined as the global pandemic response has progressed, it’s no surprise that pain medicine innovators continue to face a steep challenge.

In this episode, host Shravani Durbhakula, MD, is joined by Josh Sharfstein, MD, Vice Dean for Public Health Practice and Community Engagement at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and former Deputy Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration to discuss current approaches to pain medication addiction and the room for innovation in the fight against overdose deaths.

The repetitive grind and acute trauma endured by professional athletes often lead to chronic pain and a number of surgeries over the course of an athletic career. How is the practice of pain medicine evolving to minimize the effects of chronic pain for these athletes, and, in particular, what are the opportunities for innovation in delivering long-term results through minimally invasive, non-addictive, and safe methods of pain treatment? 

In this episode, host Shravani Durbhakula, MD, is joined by John Michels, MD, a former first-round NFL draft choice and Super Bowl champion with the Green Bay Packers who turned to interventional pain medicine after an injury ended his football career.

As with every industry, the field of pain medicine is continually progressing in the face of technological developments, generational turnover, and the disruptions that come from significant world events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. When it comes to forging paths toward the future of pain care, it is the aim of professional societies and organizations to determine the right course and provide resources for their members to succeed in achieving a common mission.

In this episode, host Shravani Durbhakula, MD, is joined by Kayode A. Williams, MD, MBA, FFARCSI, President of the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) to discuss the history and values of AAPM and share his vision for the future of the pain medicine subspecialty as a whole. 

Investment in a project can come from many sides. In past episodes, we have discussed venture capitalism, private investors, strategic partnerships, and other creative approaches to raising capital. This time, we turn to federal funding in the form of small business innovation research (SBIR) grants. 

Host Shravani Durbhakula, MD, is joined by Henry Ahn, Director of the SBIR Grant and Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Programs at the National Science Foundation, to discuss these grants and how pain medicine innovators can improve their chances of obtaining one.

Developing a new device or drug treatment is near impossible without the capital to support it.

How can innovators in healthcare present their ideas to investors in a way that triggers their interest and, ultimately, their financial backing?

In this episode, host Shravani Durbhakula, MD, dives into this question alongside Ali Behbahani, MD, of New Enterprise Associates, one of the top venture capitalist firms for tech in healthcare. With his combined experience in business and medicine, Dr. Behbahani lays out what investors in healthcare innovation value most in the development of a successful business plan.

Tune in to hear:

• The factors to consider in early stages that matter most to investors, such as the clear communication the pain point a new product addresses 
• How to navigate the obstacles that many startups face in the decade-long journey of getting a new device to market
• An inside perspective about the variety of philosophies within the venture capitalism industry and what creates a strong management team in healthcare

Is the emergence of digital health changing how we think about progress in pain medicine? 

It should.

In this episode, host Shravani Durbhakula, MD, sits down with Sara Silacci, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Founder at the Center for Innovation of Digital Health at Massachusetts General Hospital to share how can healthcare leaders can capitalize on the growth of the digital health space, and ways providers can get solutions into the hands of their patients faster than ever before. This episode is a continuation of episode 1 in which Bryan Marascalchi, MD, discusses his success with a digital health product in pain medicine, Pain Scored. 

Tune in to hear about:

• How you can bring ideas to market quickly and effectively through software development
• What is the advantage of digital health innovation over pharmaceutical and device innovation? 
• Tips to cultivate the necessary industry partnerships that will lead to a common vision and shared success
• What you need to know to protect your intellectual property in the digital health space

Serving patients with the best therapies can bring steep challenges for pain researchers—often coming down to funding. 

What can pain medicine professionals do when it feels like their day-to-day is spent “chasing the money” needed to do their jobs? 

In this episode, host Shravani Durbhakula, MD, chats with pain physician, pharmaceutical and device entrepreneur, and angel investor Amol Soin, MD, about his experience in approaching and funding new, opioid-free solutions for diabetic pain treatment as well as his mission to do whatever it takes to bring much-needed relief to patients.

Tune in to hear about:

• Creative solutions surrounding the hurdles to raising capital for pain medicine initiatives
• The growing innovation in oral analgesics and pain management devices
• The opportunity awaiting the pain pharmaceutical industry in combating the opioid epidemic

In a field where innovation is always at the forefront, the need for continual training can become an obstacle. 

But with any obstacle comes opportunity; how can educators reimagine the training atmosphere to keep physicians engaged and informed about new devices as they emerge?

In this episode, Yeshvant Navalgund, MD, Co-Founder and Medical Director of National Bioskills Laboratories, joins host Shravani Durbhakula, MD, to discuss keys to training physicians on new devices, techniques and treatments in the world of pain medicine.

Tune in to hear about:

• The cadaver training industry rebrand and the emerging technology that is influencing its direction
• Strategies for managing the logistics, compliance, and organization related to hosting networking events for large companies and individuals to attend
• The future of expanding training solutions on a business level and the opportunities awaiting innovations in the field

Through innovation, pain physicians have the potential to change the scope of medical care.

How can those who treat everyday conditions of their patients take an idea for a new device and bring it to patent, development and, ultimately, a place of its own on the market?

In this episode, host Shravani Durbhakula, MD, and assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Bryan Marascalchi, MD, discuss how pain physicians can influence novel treatment methods by identifying needs, envisioning solutions and, developing a product that impacts the field at large.

Tune in to hear:

• Advice on securing patents and protecting yourself in the development of a new invention
• Strategies for positioning yourself as the expert and performing the research that will earn you the backing of your idea by your peers
• How to go through the proper channels and understand the established processes for success