Getting to Know the Editorial Board
Ryan D’Souza, MD
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Ryan D’Souza, MD, is an Interventional Pain Physician at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Do you consider yourself primarily a regional anesthesiologist, an acute pain practitioner, or a chronic pain specialist (or some combination of these)? What led you to choose this specialty?
I consider myself an interventional chronic pain physician, blending elements of regional anesthesia, acute pain management, and chronic pain expertise into my practice. My journey to this specialty was deeply personal and multifaceted. Growing up with family members experiencing chronic pain provided a firsthand understanding of its impact on individuals and families. During my medical training, elective rotations in pain medicine solidified my passion for addressing this complex issue.
However, what truly ignited my commitment was recognizing the vast research opportunities within the field. Chronic pain remains an area where groundbreaking discoveries are urgently needed, and I saw myself motivated to drive change. Being part of a profession where innovation and advancements are constantly unfolding is incredibly rewarding. Ultimately, my decision to specialize in interventional chronic pain medicine stems from a desire to make a tangible difference in people’s lives while contributing to the evolution of pain management through research and innovation. It’s an exciting time to be in pain medicine!
What do you like best about your job? What gets you excited about going to work?
The best part of my job, as cliché as it may sound, is the incredible feeling of knowing I’m making a major difference in someone’s life. When I was in general anesthesia, I rarely had the chance to see the long-term impact of my work on patients’ lives. This changed when I pursued the pain medicine specialty. I was equipped with a whole toolbox of treatments and therapies that could truly transform a patient’s quality of life. From easing chronic pain to improving mobility and restoring independence, the possibilities were endless.
How and when did you get involved with the journal? (perhaps you started as an author, perhaps a colleague encouraged you to apply for the editorial board, feel free to name names!)
My journey with the journal started with simple invitations to review manuscripts. I jumped at every opportunity, making sure to deliver my reviews promptly and with thoroughness. I believe in the power of peer-review and the importance of contributing to the academic community in any way I could. After some time, I felt ready to take on more responsibility. I mustered up the courage to apply for an associate editor position. My first attempt didn’t quite hit the mark, but I remained resilient and passionate about continuing my involvement with the journal. On my second go-round, I was offered the role as Associate Editor. Recently, I was also appointed as a Social Media Editor for RAPM. I’m thrilled to contribute to RAPM in multiple ways—whether it’s reviewing manuscripts as an associate editor, crafting engaging visual content as a social media editor, or even contributing my own projects as an author. It’s a privilege to be part of such a reputable and impactful journal!
Do you feel that your work with RAPM has had an impact on your career and if so, how?
Absolutely, my involvement with RAPM has been a game-changer for my career! First and foremost, being part of the RAPM family has allowed me to stay at the forefront of ground-breaking research and developments in my field. It’s like having a front-row seat to all the latest and greatest discoveries. This not only keeps me informed but also continuously sharpens my skills and knowledge.
Moreover, being part of the editorial board means I get to actively shape the future of regional anesthesia and chronic pain. The intellectual discussions among board members are invigorating. It’s a space where ideas collide, perspectives converge, and together, we pave the way for advancements in our field.
One of the most fulfilling aspects has been the opportunity to collaborate on guidelines and initiatives that have the potential to transform patient care. Knowing that my contributions can directly impact the lives of individuals suffering from chronic pain or undergoing regional anesthesia procedures is incredibly rewarding.
What advice do you have for others interested in getting involved with serving on the editorial board of scientific journals?
Embrace every opportunity to review manuscripts that comes your way. Even if the subject matter seems a bit outside your comfort zone, don’t shy away. You’d be surprised at how much you can contribute, even in areas where you’re not a total expert. Providing thoughtful feedback on general aspects like methodology, structure, or flow can make a world of difference to authors navigating the publishing process.
When you commit to reviewing a manuscript, make sure you stick to deadlines. Timely reviews keep the gears of the publication process turning smoothly, ensuring authors receive feedback promptly. I believe that this is even more important for manuscripts that get rejected. Being prompt with reviews in this situation allows those authors to have ample time to regroup and perhaps even find success elsewhere, and not risk their work being outdated due to a delayed review.
Finally, don’t forget the power of constructive criticism. Although it may feel a bit daunting to critique someone else’s work, this is integral to the peer-review process and to produce high-quality work.
Is there anything you’d like to tell authors submitting articles to the journal, including advice for writing good articles or maybe a pet peeve you wish authors wouldn’t do?
Transparency is key. This is important to conducting rigorous and trustworthy research. There are no secrets, no hidden agendas, just pure, unfiltered honesty and ethical science/research.
Take meta-analyses and systematic reviews, for example. These are powerful tools for synthesizing evidence and drawing meaningful conclusions. Sometimes, things don’t go according to plan and deviations are needed from the protocol, and that’s okay. What’s important is that authors should be upfront about any protocol violations or deviations that occur along the way in their final manuscript.
The same goes for clinical trials with registered protocols. Sure, it might be tempting to ignore deviations. But scientific integrity should be upheld. Authors should report any deviations and provide a solid rationale for why they occurred.
What has been your proudest career moment?
One of my proudest career moments was when I mentored my first IMG graduate medical student and helped them navigate the residency application process. During her one-year research fellowship, I mentored her in several research projects that culminated in publication, helped her network with other faculty, and provided her clinical exposure opportunities. After she successfully matched into an ACGME Anesthesiology Program, it was an incredibly proud moment for me. Since then, I have mentored many additional trainees to help them achieve their goals. Mentoring, especially on academic advancement and research, is a passion of mine that’s near and dear to my heart.
In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing the field of regional anesthesia and pain medicine today?
Currently, I believe that insurance coverage and reimbursement of pain treatments for patients are the biggest challenges facing the chronic pain specialty. From prior authorizations to coverage denials, it often feels like clinicians are burdened with paperwork and other hurdles just to get our patients the care they deserve. It is paramount for us to unite as a specialty and continue to advocate for our patients.
What one word would you say describes you?
Collaborative.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I enjoy exercising, playing basketball, and traveling.
Do you consider yourself primarily a regional anesthesiologist, an acute pain practitioner, or a chronic pain specialist (or some combination of these)? What led you to choose this specialty?
I consider myself an interventional chronic pain physician, blending elements of regional anesthesia, acute pain management, and chronic pain expertise into my practice. My journey to this specialty was deeply personal and multifaceted. Growing up with family members experiencing chronic pain provided a firsthand understanding of its impact on individuals and families. During my medical training, elective rotations in pain medicine solidified my passion for addressing this complex issue.
However, what truly ignited my commitment was recognizing the vast research opportunities within the field. Chronic pain remains an area where groundbreaking discoveries are urgently needed, and I saw myself motivated to drive change. Being part of a profession where innovation and advancements are constantly unfolding is incredibly rewarding. Ultimately, my decision to specialize in interventional chronic pain medicine stems from a desire to make a tangible difference in people’s lives while contributing to the evolution of pain management through research and innovation. It’s an exciting time to be in pain medicine!
What do you like best about your job? What gets you excited about going to work?
The best part of my job, as cliché as it may sound, is the incredible feeling of knowing I’m making a major difference in someone’s life. When I was in general anesthesia, I rarely had the chance to see the long-term impact of my work on patients’ lives. This changed when I pursued the pain medicine specialty. I was equipped with a whole toolbox of treatments and therapies that could truly transform a patient’s quality of life. From easing chronic pain to improving mobility and restoring independence, the possibilities were endless.
How and when did you get involved with the journal? (perhaps you started as an author, perhaps a colleague encouraged you to apply for the editorial board, feel free to name names!)
My journey with the journal started with simple invitations to review manuscripts. I jumped at every opportunity, making sure to deliver my reviews promptly and with thoroughness. I believe in the power of peer-review and the importance of contributing to the academic community in any way I could. After some time, I felt ready to take on more responsibility. I mustered up the courage to apply for an associate editor position. My first attempt didn’t quite hit the mark, but I remained resilient and passionate about continuing my involvement with the journal. On my second go-round, I was offered the role as Associate Editor. Recently, I was also appointed as a Social Media Editor for RAPM. I’m thrilled to contribute to RAPM in multiple ways—whether it’s reviewing manuscripts as an associate editor, crafting engaging visual content as a social media editor, or even contributing my own projects as an author. It’s a privilege to be part of such a reputable and impactful journal!
Do you feel that your work with RAPM has had an impact on your career and if so, how?
Absolutely, my involvement with RAPM has been a game-changer for my career! First and foremost, being part of the RAPM family has allowed me to stay at the forefront of ground-breaking research and developments in my field. It’s like having a front-row seat to all the latest and greatest discoveries. This not only keeps me informed but also continuously sharpens my skills and knowledge.
Moreover, being part of the editorial board means I get to actively shape the future of regional anesthesia and chronic pain. The intellectual discussions among board members are invigorating. It’s a space where ideas collide, perspectives converge, and together, we pave the way for advancements in our field.
One of the most fulfilling aspects has been the opportunity to collaborate on guidelines and initiatives that have the potential to transform patient care. Knowing that my contributions can directly impact the lives of individuals suffering from chronic pain or undergoing regional anesthesia procedures is incredibly rewarding.
What advice do you have for others interested in getting involved with serving on the editorial board of scientific journals?
Embrace every opportunity to review manuscripts that comes your way. Even if the subject matter seems a bit outside your comfort zone, don’t shy away. You’d be surprised at how much you can contribute, even in areas where you’re not a total expert. Providing thoughtful feedback on general aspects like methodology, structure, or flow can make a world of difference to authors navigating the publishing process.
When you commit to reviewing a manuscript, make sure you stick to deadlines. Timely reviews keep the gears of the publication process turning smoothly, ensuring authors receive feedback promptly. I believe that this is even more important for manuscripts that get rejected. Being prompt with reviews in this situation allows those authors to have ample time to regroup and perhaps even find success elsewhere, and not risk their work being outdated due to a delayed review.
Finally, don’t forget the power of constructive criticism. Although it may feel a bit daunting to critique someone else’s work, this is integral to the peer-review process and to produce high-quality work.
Is there anything you’d like to tell authors submitting articles to the journal, including advice for writing good articles or maybe a pet peeve you wish authors wouldn’t do?
Transparency is key. This is important to conducting rigorous and trustworthy research. There are no secrets, no hidden agendas, just pure, unfiltered honesty and ethical science/research.
Take meta-analyses and systematic reviews, for example. These are powerful tools for synthesizing evidence and drawing meaningful conclusions. Sometimes, things don’t go according to plan and deviations are needed from the protocol, and that’s okay. What’s important is that authors should be upfront about any protocol violations or deviations that occur along the way in their final manuscript.
The same goes for clinical trials with registered protocols. Sure, it might be tempting to ignore deviations. But scientific integrity should be upheld. Authors should report any deviations and provide a solid rationale for why they occurred.
What has been your proudest career moment?
One of my proudest career moments was when I mentored my first IMG graduate medical student and helped them navigate the residency application process. During her one-year research fellowship, I mentored her in several research projects that culminated in publication, helped her network with other faculty, and provided her clinical exposure opportunities. After she successfully matched into an ACGME Anesthesiology Program, it was an incredibly proud moment for me. Since then, I have mentored many additional trainees to help them achieve their goals. Mentoring, especially on academic advancement and research, is a passion of mine that’s near and dear to my heart.
In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing the field of regional anesthesia and pain medicine today?
Currently, I believe that insurance coverage and reimbursement of pain treatments for patients are the biggest challenges facing the chronic pain specialty. From prior authorizations to coverage denials, it often feels like clinicians are burdened with paperwork and other hurdles just to get our patients the care they deserve. It is paramount for us to unite as a specialty and continue to advocate for our patients.
What one word would you say describes you?
Collaborative.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I enjoy exercising, playing basketball, and traveling.