Fellowship Opportunities in Pain Medicine

Postgraduate Training in Pain Management at the University of Michigan

The postgraduate training program in Pain Management at the University of Michigan has been developed with the combined resources of the Departments of Anesthesiology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), and Neurology. It also incorporates the physical resources of the University of Michigan Medical Center, the Anesthesiology Pain Clinic, the PM&R Spine Center, and the Veterans Administration Medical Center Pain Program. The program provides comprehensive training in all aspects of diagnostic and interventional pain management of chronic, acute, and cancer pain. Teaching is enhanced with weekly pain conferences, didactic lectures and journal clubs. Periodic "hands-on" cadaver sessions provide excellent opportunities for reviewing anatomy and the advanced techniques of interventional pain management. The end result is that our multidisciplinary, one-year ACGME accredited program thoroughly prepares a consultant for a rewarding career in pain management.

During their program, fellows have the opportunity and are encouraged to become involved in clinical research. In addition, basic research is also available for those interested in a more extensive research experience.

Residents interested in this program must have completed an ACGME residency program in Anesthesiology, PM&R, or Neurology. Residents from other specialties may also be considered upon request. Regardless of their primary specialty, all fellows will be trained in all aspects of pain management as outlined above.

The information we require for application to this program is as follows:

Below is a description of the fellowship rotation schedule and clinical experiences. Thank you very much for your interest in our program.

Sincerely,

Anesthesiology Pain Clinic

The rotation through anesthesiology's pain clinic is designed to educate the physician with a solid scientific knowledge base of pain medicine, rational medication selections, and skills in procedural therapy employing peripheral nerve blocks, central nerve blocks, neurolytic and implantable therapies. Fellows will receive training in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of complex pain problems, including spine related pain, complex regional pain syndrome, neuropathic pain, and cancer pain. Our clinic utilizes a strong, interventional approach integrated with multidisciplinary management of the pain patient. Our dedicated team includes nine pain fellowship trained, board certified anesthesiologists, internist, neurologist, psychologist, physical therapist, social worker, and specialty trained nurses.

PM&R Spine Center

The Spine Program is the University of Michigan's comprehensive "interdepartmental" approach to back pain. We have faculty physicians in over ten specialties, a diversity of allied health professionals as well as researchers. Our success is built on the approach of utilizing a team of experts. You will find descriptions of each of the sub specialized areas which is directed by a physiatrist and lead therapist.

For more information please visit: PM&R Spine Center

The department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Ann Arbor VA is under the direction of Dr. Robert Werner, MD. It is felt that the VA offers a unique patient population for pain management, which is typically more chronic pain management, but also allows for a higher degree of independence for the Pain Management fellows. There is always direct faculty supervision but the clinics are run more as continuity clinics with fellows defining the management decisions. In addition, the VA has a completely electronic record that includes an electronic ordering system and will soon include decision analysis capabilities.

Pain Fellowship Committee