University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago Program

The UIC Pain Management Fellowship offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to pain management primarily at the University of Illinois-Chicago Outpatient Care Center and Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Hospital. The program emphasizes patient care, medical knowledge, and hands-on experience in various settings, with a strong focus on innovative interventional and surgical procedures 1.

Clinical Experience

Fellows in the program will complete interventional and multidisciplinary pain medicine rotations at both the University of Illinois Health and Jesse Brown VA Hospital, which are conveniently located within walking distance of each other. At UI Health, fellows alternate days between outpatient clinic visits and interventional procedure days, collaborating daily with residents, medical students, and physician assistants to manage inpatient consults. During procedure days, fellows closely work with fluoroscopy technicians to optimize imaging acquisition. At the VA hospital, fellows will engage in interventional procedures alongside a resident and run the outpatient clinic throughout the week 1.

In addition to ongoing pain medicine rotations, fellows will participate in interdisciplinary rotations including Neurology, Psychology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Palliative Care at Jesse Brown VA 1.

Curriculum

The curriculum of the fellowship reflects ACGME general competencies that encompass Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, Practice-based Learning, Interpersonal Skills, Professionalism, and Systems-based Practice 1.

Fellows will participate in a year-long lecture series that starts with the basics of pain medicine and progresses through pain physiology, pharmacology, and anatomy. Rotating lectures also cover current pain practice guidelines, literature reviews, and a monthly journal club 1. Additional interdisciplinary pain conferences are conducted in conjunction with pain psychiatry, pharmacy, and physical therapy, allowing fellows to audit and present various topics.

Research Requirement

A minimum of one scholarly research project needs to be completed during the year along with various quality assurance and quality improvement projects. The fellowship provides ample opportunities to engage in ongoing research within the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, and it encourages fellows to present at national conferences, including ASA and ASRA Pain Medicine 1.

Administrative and Teaching Responsibilities

Fellows are assigned administrative roles where they oversee clinic activities and coordinate schedules, enhancing their leadership and administrative skills 1. Moreover, fellows mentor residents and medical students on pain medicine protocols while also engaging in presentations during lectures and journal clubs, and participating in local and national educational meetings.

Facilities

The fellowship primarily takes place at the UI Health Outpatient Care Center which features state-of-the-art facilities including exam rooms, recovery bays, and procedure suites. The Jesse Brown VA Pain Clinic offers a multidisciplinary clinic with a fully equipped fluoroscopy and ultrasound procedure room 1.

Application Process and Requirements

Candidates interested in the fellowship must apply through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). It is pivotal for applicants to present a strong candidacy reflecting their medical training. The program is described as competitive but seeks applicants who resonate with its multidisciplinary approach to pain management 1.

Visa Support

The program provides visa support and sponsors J-1 and H-1B visas for international medical graduates who are accepted into the fellowship. This aspect caters to a broad spectrum of candidates ensuring that qualified individuals globally can apply 1.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The Pain Medicine Fellowship is recognized as highly competitive. The program seeks candidates from diverse backgrounds including those holding DO degrees or international medical graduates (IMGs). Candidates applying for this fellowship are expected to present strong profiles without significant academic failures, particularly in Step examinations 1.