Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Fellowship Spotlight: Pain Medicine
Association of Academic Physiatrists Resident Fellow Council Secretary
Academic Chief Resident
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
Pain Fellow
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA / WLA VA)
Pain Medicine is one of the sub-specialty areas in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) with fellowship training programs offered throughout the United States.
I connected with Dr. Herbie Yung, who is currently completing his Pain fellowship at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) to discuss his experiences pursuing a fellowship and career as a PM&R pain physician.
Dr. Adam Susmarski (AS): What attracted you to pursue a Pain Medicine fellowship?
Dr. Herbie Yung (HY): I like the large amount of versatility in the field of Pain Medicine. I get a chance to work with a lot of different types of medical professionals and patients. Additionally, I enjoy working with all of the exciting technology out there, with not only fluoroscopy and ultrasound guided injections, but also neuromodulation, intrathecal pumps, radiofrequency ablation, and regenerative medicine, just to name a few.
AS: What are the aspects of fellowship that applicants should carefully consider when making their rank order list?
HY: I think it’s really important to look at how you fit in a fellowship program, for example, is there good mentorship to help guide you for the rest of your career whether it’s academic or private practice? Does the program offer the procedural training and exposure to the patient population (e.g. cancer pain, palliative care, pediatric pain, and/or pain rehabilitation) that you are interested in integrating into your future practice? Are there research requirements or an opportunity to teach medical students and residents? Is location a factor? Completing your fellowship in the region you want to end up long term can help with your job search.
AS: How did you choose which fellowship was the “best fit” for you?
HY: In addition to the above factors, I think it’s important you find that you click with the attendings at the program. Even in that one short year, you will spend more one-on-one time with them than you did with your attendings during residency. If possible, talk to someone who completed that fellowship to get some insight into what that program offers you that no one else can.
AS: What has been your favorite experience as a fellow?
HY: The whole year is just a whirlwind of new information, terminology and procedural techniques to absorb. I think my favorite experience thus far is taking the next step in my medical career and starting to make the transition from resident to fellow to attending which means taking in further patient care responsibilities and autonomy.
AS: Now that you are approaching completion of fellowship what is some advice you have for residents applying for fellowship?
HY: Try not to stress and enjoy the journey! Go to as many interviews as you can afford (time and money wise) so you can really see what all the programs have to offer, and make the best decision you can. You’ll meet many great people along way including other applicants like yourself. Pain medicine is a small field and you’re guaranteed to run into everyone again, who knows, you may even one day apply for a faculty position at an institution where you interview.
