University of Pennsylvania Health System Program

The Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania is a one-year program that is affiliated with the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia. This fellowship is one of the oldest in the country and is funded through a disbursement agreement between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The program's primary focus is on providing clinical training for physicians who aim to become qualified in clinical treatment for patients suffering from substance-use disorders. Every trainee will receive comprehensive education in the contemporary behavioral, psychological, and pharmacological techniques utilized in the treatment of these disorders. The clinical training program provided at the Philadelphia VAMC is certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties, allowing fellows to become eligible to receive certification in Addiction Psychiatry upon completion of the program 1.

Mission and Objectives

The mission of the Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship is aligned with the overarching goals of the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on training psychiatrists to enhance health care for patients and ensure safe care through engagement and continuity. The specific objectives of the fellowship include:

• Development of excellent clinicians specialized in substance abuse treatment;
• Preparation of residents/trainees for leadership roles in substance abuse treatment;
• Training physicians to critically assess clinical research literature in substance abuse;
• Employment of physicians interested in all levels of prevention and treatment of substance abuse;
• Supporting physicians aiming for academic positions in medical schools to elevate education and research in substance abuse.

Training Core Clinical Experience

Fellows will engage in a full-time clinical experience over the 12-month fellowship period, receiving thorough education in behavioral, psychological, and pharmacological strategies used in the treatment of substance use disorders. This training includes individual therapy (face-to-face and telehealth) as well as group therapy, employing techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Pharmacotherapy. The structure of the program encompasses clinical rotations, seminars, didactics, grand rounds, journal clubs, and research projects 2.

Clinical Rotations

During their training, fellows will rotate through various clinical settings including:

• Inpatient dual-diagnosis: A three-month rotation involving teamwork with healthcare professionals where fellows will maintain an active caseload supervised by faculty.
• Addiction Recovery Unit (ARU): The primary outpatient treatment program for various drug addictions, excluding opiate-dependent patients undergoing methadone maintenance.
• Opioid Treatment Program (OTP): Focused on outpatient treatment for opiate-dependent individuals, involving methadone maintenance and comprehensive case management.
• Pain Management: A multidisciplinary service providing treatment for chronic pain, ensuring differential diagnosis between genuine addiction and under-treatment.
• Adolescent Addiction Treatment: Conducted at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, allowing fellows to enhance their expertise in treating youth substance use disorders.
• Penn Family Medicine: Involvement in the treatment of pregnant and perinatal women with Opioid Use Disorder in the primary care clinics of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Seminars and Didactics

Weekly didactic presentations will be facilitated by faculty from the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Studies of Addiction, covering diverse topics such as:

• The History of Addiction Psychiatry;
• Behavioral Treatments for Substance Use Disorders (SUD);
• Genetics and Pharmacotherapy associated with Alcohol and Opioid Use Disorders;
• Treatment of Stimulant Use Disorder;
• Brain substrates of relapse and management approaches.

Furthermore, fellows will participate in Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds and engage with journal clubs sponsored by the Center for Studies of Addiction 3.

Application Information and Eligibility

Eligibility for the Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship requires all applicants to have completed an ACGME-accredited residency in general psychiatry before enrollment. Moreover, accepted applicants must obtain a Pennsylvania Medical Training License during the onboarding process. The fellowship welcomes only psychiatrists who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Applications are processed through the AAMC ERAS website, typically accepted starting July 1st of each recruitment cycle 1.

Visa Support

The program offers visa sponsorship for qualified international medical graduates. The types of visas that can be supported include J-1 exchange visitor visas, which are commonly used for fellowship training, enabling fellows to partake in clinical experiences while meeting the program’s objectives.

Competitiveness

The Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship is considered a highly competitive program. Due to its esteemed association with the University of Pennsylvania and the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, selected candidates are expected to present strong credentials, including clinical training and research experience in the field of psychiatry.