Mass General Brigham/Massachusetts General Hospital Program

The Pain Medicine Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital is a comprehensive 12-month program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). This multidisciplinary fellowship provides extensive training in various aspects of pain medicine, focusing on both clinical practice and academic development, with an emphasis on excellence in patient care.

The fellowship is strategically integrated within the Mass General Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, allowing fellows to gain a wealth of knowledge through collaboration with multiple departments. These departments include Interventional Radiology, Palliative Care, Psychiatry/Addiction, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, along with opportunities at Boston Children’s Hospital for pediatric pain management.

Core Rotations and Clinical Experience

The curriculum is structured to provide fellows with diverse clinical experiences. Key core rotations consist of:

• Chronic Inpatient Pain Service (two months)
• Outpatient Pain Clinic (approximately five months)
• Palliative Care (two weeks)
• Pediatric Pain Service at Boston Children's Hospital (two weeks)
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital (two weeks)
• Psychiatry/Psychology with an Addiction Medicine component (two weeks)
• Elective Opportunities (three weeks)

Additionally, fellows will participate in vital clinical experiences involving Neurology and interventional training in operating rooms, providing a well-rounded clinical education.

Didactic Curriculum

The Pain Medicine Fellowship includes a rich didactic curriculum tailored to meet ACGME requirements and maximize educational opportunities. The multidisciplinary didactic program encompasses:

• Airway Management and Intubation for Non-Anesthesia Trained Fellows
• Anesthesia Grand Rounds
• Cancer and Palliative Care Series Lectures
• Interprofessional Chronic Pain Rounds
• Critical Event Management Training
• Fellowship Orientation Lectures
• Interventional Conference Series
• Journal Club and various lecture series in related fields like Neurology and Physical Medicine
• Ultrasound Curriculum

Fellows are also expected to contribute to the educational experience by teaching residents and medical students, further enhancing their pedagogical skills.

Application Requirements

Selection for the Pain Medicine Fellowship is highly competitive, requiring completed applications to be considered. The application process utilizes the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and does not permit paper submissions. Applicants must submit the following documents electronically via ERAS:

• Medical School Transcript
• USMLE Scores
• Current Curriculum Vitae
• Photograph
• Personal Statement outlining interest in pain medicine
• Three letters of recommendation, one from the residency program director

Applicants must have graduated from an accredited medical school recognized by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or the American Osteopathic Association, and completed a residency program accredited either by ACGME or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Visa Support

The fellowship provides visa support and sponsorship for international medical graduates needing work authorization to participate in the program. Mass General is equipped to assist fellows in acquiring the necessary visas, such as J-1 and other relevant categories, through its International Office.

Diversity and Inclusion

The fellowship promotes a diverse and inclusive community, ensuring that all fellows can experience a sense of belonging throughout their training.

Competitiveness

Given its emphasis on quality training and the multidisciplinary approach, the fellowship is recognized as highly competitive. It seeks residents from both MD and DO backgrounds, along with international medical graduates (IMGs) who have met the established entry requirements.