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FAQ
How are the applicants chosen for interviews?
Applications are reviewed by a group of faculty. Based on the strength of the candidate and their application materials, an interview is offered.
Can you describe a typical clinic day for your fellows?
The fellows begin their day just before 8 a.m. and the first patients are arriving at 8 a.m. The fellows see approximately 6-10 patients per day depending upon the complexity of patients. Approximately 40% of patients undergo a procedure. The clinic closes at 5 p.m.
Do you have an electronic record?
Yes, since November 2010 the university uses Epic for medical records, including documentation and orders.
Do fellows have an educational fund?
Yes. Fellows are allotted a fund of $2,400 to provide support for specific needs during the course of their training. Additional funds may be awarded to the fellow if he/she presents a research project at a national meeting which is approved by the Director of Pain Medicine.
What are your average duty hours?
The average duty hour week is 53 hours. Duty hours are recorded on Med Hub.
Can you give me an overview of your clinical activities?
Clinical activities begin with evaluation of patients for all types of pain. In addition to undergoing pain clinic evaluation, patients may be referred for physical therapy or pain psychology. Our clinic has a PharmD with expertise in pain management that is available for medical consultation with patients and providers. The patients also undergo procedures. These may be fluoroscopic, ultrasound guided or without imaging.
How is the fellow’s performance evaluated?
Faculty evaluate fellows using MedHub monthly and the director meets monthly with each fellow to review these evaluations and develop strategies if indicated. The evaluations are based on the six ACGME core competencies.
Nursing staff evaluate the fellows quarterly. These evaluations are also reviewed with the fellow during their monthly meeting with the director.
Fellows are asked to review the program twice during the academic year (at 6 months and end of training). The fellows also evaluate the faculty using the Department of Anesthesia intranet (these evaluations are combined with residents’ evaluations and presented to the faculty quarterly to ensure confidentiality).
Fellows are also asked to review each rotation at their conclusions. These evaluations are reviewed by the education committee and allow the division to improve rotations based on these evaluations.
Are there opportunities for research?
Fellows participate in new and ongoing clinical research that leads to presentation of an abstract and eventual publication in the peer-reviewed literature. Opportunities in basic science research and translational medicine may be pursued after the one-year clinical fellowship. Additional opportunities for training in either basic science or clinical research in pain medicine are provided by The University of Iowa Pain Research Program. This NIH-supported multidisciplinary research training program is open to both PhDs and MDs who have completed residency training in any specialty. It is primarily designed to prepare individuals for an independent academic career as physician scientists. Get additional information about anesthesia education at University of Iowa.
Do fellows educate other trainees?
Education skills are an important part of developing a successful pain practice. This may take the form of educating other physicians, in-servicing nurses or speaking to workman’s compensation nursing care coordinators. In order to prepare you for this, you will be involved in the education of residents and medical students during their pain rotation. You will also participate in journal clubs and morbidity and mortality presentations.