Clinical training

The Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine Fellowship is distinctly different from the regional resident rotation conducted during either the CA-2 or CA-3 year of training. It is intended to provide advanced training with expectations for greater independence in the care of complex patients undergoing major procedures.

During the 12 months of clinical training in the program, fellows also rotate at Wolfson Children's Hospital in Jacksonville for two weeks of a pediatric acute pain medicine and regional anesthesiology experience, as well as two weeks with our Department of Pain Medicine to evaluate chronic pain patients at Mayo Clinic.

Research training

Clinical research is a major component of the fellowship. Following completion of the training, fellows will be able to enter any academic program with the experience necessary to conduct clinical research. Research nurses within the department help with orientation to research methods at Mayo Clinic, as well as provide support for submitting and performing clinical research throughout the year.

Didactic training

Didactic training is an integral part of Mayo Clinic's Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine Fellowship. Trainees participate in:

• Journal clubs
• Morbidity and mortality conferences
• Formal mock oral examinations
• Subspecialty lectures
• Simulation training
• Quality improvement projects

Call frequency

The fellowship has no call obligations, in order to maximize fellowship training.

Moonlighting

Moonlighting is allowed on a case-by-case basis, subject to program director approval. Moonlighting hours must be counted toward duty hours, and moonlighting activities cannot interfere with fellow education or clinical obligations.

Cardiac Life Support Certification

Certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is required for all Mayo Clinic residents and fellows.

Teaching opportunities

Opportunities are available for teaching Mayo medical students, visiting students, surgery residents, internal medicine residents, and anesthesia residents through operating room instruction and formal didactic lectures.

Committee assignments

Fellows have the opportunity to gain experience in a number of administrative capacities during their training. These include the department education council, education committee and quality committee, as well as organizing a monthly Regional Anesthesia Journal Club. Fellows can also participate in committee assignments for the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA), the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation, the House of Delegates of the ASA, and the state component society of anesthesiology in Florida.

Evaluation

To ensure that you gain proficiency and develop corresponding technical skills, individual performance is monitored carefully throughout the Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine Fellowship. You are formally evaluated by supervising faculty members after each clinical rotation and meet with the program director to review these evaluations. In addition, you regularly evaluate the faculty to ensure that your educational needs are being met.

Career development

Mayo Clinic recruits many of its staff physicians from its own training programs. After completing the Regional Anesthesia Fellowship program, career opportunities may be available at one of Mayo Clinic's practice sites.