Interventional pain management competitiveness

[Don15]

Hey all, M3 here. I recently got a chance to shadow a pain management specialist in my area and found myself really interested in it. Got to see a spinal cord stimulator implant and a radio frequency neurotomy, as well as a lot of clinic work. The physician I shadowed was on the older side so didn't really know how the field is now in terms of getting in. Was wondering how competitive is it to obtain this fellowship after residency? Also is it better to go the anesthesia route vs PM&R? Thanks in advance!

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[deleted171991]

Hey all, M3 here. I recently got a chance to shadow a pain management specialist in my area and found myself really interested in it. Got to see a spinal cord stimulator implant and a radio frequency neurotomy, as well as a lot of clinic work. The physician I shadowed was on the older side so didn't really know how the field is now in terms of getting in. Was wondering how competitive is it to obtain this fellowship after residency?

Very, although it seems that less and less. I get surprised every year by who got accepted.

Also is it better to go the anesthesia route vs PM&R? Thanks in advance!

Depends on your personality. Which specialty do you identify with more and would you be happy to practice even if you didn't get a pain fellowship?

 

[scottpilgrim]

just to throw out some stats from this last match:

pain: 0 unfilled spots in the country; 100% of programs filled; 27% unmatched
peds: 7 unfilled spots: 96% of programs filled; 13% did not match