Christopher Abrecht

Christopher Abrecht, MD is an Associate Clinical Professor and Chief of the Division of Pain Medicine in the UCSF Department of Anesthesia & Perioperative Care. He also serves as Medical Director of the UCSF Pain Management Center. His clinical work focuses on both inpatient and outpatient pain management, employing a multi-disciplinary approach including medication management, physical therapy, and targeted injections. His research emphasizes quality improvement in pain medicine, particularly tracking patient-reported outcomes and safety protocols.

Education:

• MD - New York University School of Medicine
• Anesthesiology Residency - Brigham and Women's Hospital
• Internal Medicine Internship - California Pacific Medical Center
• Pain Medicine Fellowship - UCSF
• DEI Champion Training - University of California

Research Interests: Dr. Abrecht's work bridges clinical practice and medicolegal risks. His studies frequently analyze malpractice claims related to interventional pain procedures, focusing on epidural steroid injections, trigger point injections, and implanted devices. He advocates for procedural skill training, thorough documentation, and patient selection to mitigate risks.

Publications Trends: His articles often examine legal and safety aspects of pain interventions. Key themes include:

• Epidural injection complications and liability
• Medication management practices in chronic pain
• Outcomes of spinal cord stimulators and intrathecal pumps
• Racial disparities in postoperative opioid prescribing

Grants & Awards: No specific grants or named awards listed, though his DEI training reflects institutional commitment to equity.

Labs/Teams: Leads UCSF's Pain Medicine division, collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams in perioperative care and pain psychology.