Respectfully, I believe ophthalmologists probably have a far more reasonable argument to being appropriate for pain fellowship than do FP's. Theirs is an inherently surgical specialty, and as such, they have surgical training in the core of their residency, while at best, it is a peripheral part of an FP's training.
Ampa, I'm going to play devil's advocate: Don't you think that this the the very same argument that organized anesthesiology used (and sometimes still uses) against physiatry? I think that we agree, that in the big picture, the procedural skills of pain medicine are probably the easiest to acquire with proper teaching.
I think that the big question still remains, "What is the best preparation for a career in pain medicine?" Your unique set of experiences in operative and non-operative specialties is probably most ideal.
But, realistically, I don't see why an FP with a 3 year residency and essentially a 24 month fellowship in MSK medicine and Pain doesn't approximate a *typical* 4 year PM&R or anesthesiology residency plus a 12 month fellowship. I'm certain that there are many aspects of a 3 year FP residency that are irrelevant to pain medicine, but so too with PM&R, Gas, and Neurology...Have you ever watched a neurology resident do a shoulder exam? Talk about painful...
I also agree that the "anything goes" ACGME compromise was really not in the best long-term interests of the specialty, but I think it was another example of our leadership asleep at the wheel.
My larger concern is that others will attempt to poorly emulate Dr. Simmon's program. There are a variety of unique factors that I think combine to make the Fort Worth program a "one of a kind" situation: A very strong, "unopposed," FP residency in a "House of God" county hospital, a strong and well-developed sports medicine fellowship, programatic support from UTSW PM&R, and a personal commitment among the trainers to program's success. It would be disappointing if FP residencies looking for revenue opportunities decided to open up primary care pain clinics and primary care pain fellowships.