University of Minnesota Program

Overview of the Pain Medicine Fellowship Program

The Pain Medicine Fellowship Program is designed to equip fellows with a comprehensive skill set essential for effective pain management. Sponsored collaboratively by the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the Department of Anesthesiology, Fairview Medical Group, and the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the program emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to pain management. Fellows benefit from exposure to various specialties including anesthesiology, physical medicine, rehabilitation, neurology, psychiatry, and more, enhancing their understanding and treatment capabilities in managing complex pain conditions 1.

Mission and Objectives

The program's primary mission focuses on developing future leaders in pain medicine. To fulfill this mission, the program integrates advanced knowledge and clinical skills training with a rigorous didactic educational framework. This ensures fellows acquire foundational concepts transitioning to advanced management techniques and therapeutic interventions pertinent to the evolving field of pain management 1.

Important objectives include:

• Understanding nociception, suffering, and pain behavior related to patient pain complaints.
• Mastering evaluation and management strategies for acute, chronic, and cancer pain.
• Developing treatment plans for a plethora of painful conditions.
• Engaging in interdisciplinary pain management teams.
• Demonstrating independent judgment in clinical decisions.

Benefits and Support

The program offers several benefits to ensure fellows can thrive both professionally and personally. Each fellow receives:

• 14 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) plus additional emergency sick leave.
• Five days of educational time to engage in CME related to pain medicine.
• $1,500 allocation for continuing medical education activities.
• Access to the Graduate Medical Education (GME) community, encompassing wellness initiatives and support resources.
• Comprehensive health insurance and optional coverage plans for dental and life insurance 4.

Application Process

Applying for the Pain Medicine Fellowship is an organized process where interested applicants must have completed an ACGME-accredited residency in relevant specialties such as anesthesiology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, or psychiatry, and be board-eligible or certified. Applications are submitted via ERAS, and the program limits enrollment to four fellows annually. Key application components include:

• ERAS application
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Personal statement
• Three Letters of Recommendation (LoR), including one from the applicant's residency program 2.

Training Sites and Rotations

The fellowship offers diverse training opportunities across multiple sites, allowing fellows to engage deeply with various pain management techniques:

• Fairview Medical Group Outpatient Clinic
• Minneapolis VA Medical Center
• University of Minnesota Medical Center

The scheduling of clinical rotations consists of approximately 45% outpatient clinic, 45% interventional procedures, and 10% inpatient consultations, ensuring comprehensive exposure to all aspects of pain management 1.

Visa Sponsorship

The program supports J1 visas for international applicants. However, H1-B visa sponsorship is not available 3. This makes the fellowship accessible to a variety of candidates globally, thereby enriching the learning environment within the program.

Competitiveness and Inclusivity

The Pain Medicine Fellowship is regarded as highly competitive, attracting a diverse pool of applicants, including DO and IMG candidates, particularly because it values varied training backgrounds. The committee evaluates each application holistically, providing consideration for applicants with primary residency training in non-traditional specialties upon request 2.

Didactics and Teaching

Didactic sessions are integral to the training, held two to three times weekly. Fellows are involved in leading lectures and presentations, such as chapter reviews and case discussions, thereby fostering a culture of peer-to-peer learning and collaboration 1.