University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine Program

The Addiction Medicine Fellowship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center is a comprehensive one-year program located in the Department of Family Medicine. This fellowship is unique in the upper Midwest, providing specialized training to physicians in the field of addiction medicine. The program caters to patients across all ages, addressing a variety of substance use issues from prevention and treatment to recovery. Specifically, fellowship participants will manage cases involving substances like alcohol, tobacco, prescription medications, and illicit drugs.

The fellowship offers a blend of both inpatient and outpatient experiences. Inpatient training includes participation in an Addiction Psychiatry Consult Liaison service, while outpatient rotations cover various aspects of addiction medicine, including addiction psychiatry, opioid treatment, and adolescent outpatient services 1.

Program Goals and Objectives

Upon completion of the fellowship, participants are expected to gain proficiency in several key areas, including:

• Comprehensive assessment and management of patients with substance-related health issues.
• Identification and treatment of co-occurring medical and psychiatric conditions.
• Application of evidence-based pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions.
• Effective collaborative work with healthcare teams comprising various professionals.
• Understanding of interdisciplinary approaches to pain management.
• Ability to conduct thorough literature reviews related to substance use disorders 1.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet specific criteria to be eligible for the fellowship:

• Completion of an ACGME-approved residency program in relevant specialties such as Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, or Pediatrics.
• Board certification or eligibility in the primary discipline.
• Eligibility for Nebraska Medical License, DEA certification, and DATA 2000 waiver.

Application Process

The application process is conducted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and requires the following materials:

• Completion of the online application via ERAS.
• A one to two-page letter expressing interest in addiction medicine.
• Two letters of reference, ideally one from an addiction medicine specialist.
• A letter from the residency program director.
• A dean's letter from the medical school.
• Signed release of information forms for communication with program and employment references 1.

Core Curriculum

The core curriculum of the fellowship encompasses diverse clinical rotations. This includes:

• Longitudinal continuity clinics
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) and outpatient treatment
• Medication-assisted treatment for opioid dependency
• Residential treatment services offered at the Nebraska Western Iowa VA
• Consultation-liaison services within addiction medicine

Electives are also available for fellows, who may design their own experiences focusing on areas such as pediatric recovery services and psychotherapy for addiction 1.

Didactic Schedule

Fellows are required to participate in a structured didactic program that includes:

• Weekly lectures
• Journal clubs
• Grand rounds
• Case conferences

Participation in at least one national conference related to addiction medicine, such as those held by the American Society of Addiction Medicine, is also mandatory 1.

Visa Support

The program provides support for visa sponsorship to eligible international medical graduates. This includes the possibility of sponsorship for H-1B and J-1 visa types, facilitating the entry of qualified candidates into the fellowship.

Competitiveness

The Addiction Medicine Fellowship is competitive with applicants from both MD and DO backgrounds often considered. The program welcomes applications from international medical graduates (IMGs) as well, making it a viable opportunity for a diverse pool of applicants.

Special Application Requirements

Aside from general eligibility, applicants should be mindful of specific requirements such as the year of graduation from medical school and the maximum number of failed Step examinations that are permissible during the application process.