Michael Burchell Reflects on Intern Rotation - Pain Clinc

Michael Burchell, MD, Class of 2019
Pain clinic is a relatively new
rotation to the intern year and, for good reason, has rapidly become a fan
favorite amongst many of my anesthesia colleagues. Our pain clinic provides
residents with a significant amount of clinical and procedural learning as well
as a great work-life balance.
The Work: pain clinic is a
refreshing change of pace from grind of our inpatient services. Clinic starts
at 8 am each day, and ends at about 5 pm. Interns work alongside 1-2 fellows.
The fellows are great to work with and are always willing to teach and assist
with procedures. The typical day is spent doing patient office visits as well
as a variety of procedures interspersed throughout the day, including procedures
under fluoroscopy.
The Learning: beyond its great
schedule, pain clinic is a good month to gain comfort with pain medication
strategies, interventions, and coping mechanisms. Attending physicians, Dr. Ajam and Dr.
Kapural are eager and enthusiastic teachers. Additionally, Dr. Kapural has many
research projects/abstracts for anyone with an interest in pain management as a
career path. I got to perform and observe many procedures under supervision. During
my month I did multiple lumbar medial branch nerve blocks, SI joint injections,
epidural spinal injections, and an assortment of trigger point injections.
The Lifestyle: with its
relatively relaxed schedule, clinic month is a good time to get back into
hobbies, travel, and spend time with family and friends.