Regional Anesthesia & Pain Management (RAPM)

Health Professionals Information

Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Management Fellowship
The Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management at the University Health Network and the University of Toronto offer fellowship positions in Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Management lasting for one year. Successful applicants will gain both clinical and research experience in the fields of regional anesthesia and acute pain management.

Experience will be gained in a variety of block techniques performed for mostly hand, plastic, orthopedic and general surgery. Upper and lower extremity blocks, continuous catheter techniques for postoperative pain treatment and central neuraxial techniques including thoracic epidurals and combined spinal-epidurals will be experienced as part of the fellowship program. Approximately 1500 regional anesthesia procedures are performed each year.

Fellows will also participate in the acute pain service rotation and non-regional anesthesia cases during the training year. The acute pain service sees approximately 2,000 patients per year including referrals with challenging chronic and cancer pain.

The fellowship is divided 60:40 between clinical experience and research. Other learning opportunities that can be incorporated in this fellowship year include cancer pain management and ambulatory anesthesia.

This fellowship is available following PGY5 residency or for post-fellowship trainees (FRCA, FCARCSI, FANZCA or equivalent).

Positions: 3
Salary: $75,000 (Canadian, approximately $47,250 US) for 2003-2004
Term of training: 60% clinical, 40% non-clinical
Length of training: 12 months
Available for: PGY5 candidates or post-fellowship (FRCA, FANZCA or equivalent)
ACGME approved fellowship: no; there is no sub-specialty certification

Research Opportunities:
Regional anesthesia fellows will spend 40% of time in research and educational activities. Under supervision, regional anesthesia fellows are expected to initiate at least one research project and prepare at least one research protocol during the training year. Areas of current research include outpatient pain management techniques, novel adjuncts for peripheral nerve blocks, continuous catheter techniques for upper and lower extremity surgery and image guided peripheral nerve blocks.
Website: www.rapm.ca

Types of Cases:
Regional anesthesia fellows will gain experience in a variety of block techniques performed for mostly hand, plastic, orthopedic and general surgery. Upper and lower extremity blocks, continuous catheter techniques for postoperative pain treatment and central neuraxial block including thoracic epidurals and combined spinal-epidurals will be experienced as part of the fellowship program. Several members of the department have an expertise in ultrasound-guided and continuous peripheral nerve block techniques.
Fellows will also participate in the acute pain service rotation and non-regional anesthesia cases during the training year. The acute pain service sees approximately 2,500 patients per year including inpatients with challenging chronic and cancer pain.

Approximate Number of Cases:
Regional anesthetic cases: 1700 per year (1200 peripheral nerve block; 500 central neuraxial block)
Acute pain cases: 2,500 per year

Names of Key Faculty:
Richard Brull, MD;
Vincent WS Chan, MD;
Jacob Lai, MD;
Colin McCartney, MBChB;
William Middleton, MD;
Philip Peng, MBBS;
Anahi Perlas, MD;
Paul Tumber, MD;
S. Yogendran, MD.

Application process including deadline and format:
Fellowships last for one year and commence on Jan 1st and July 1st each year. Please send your application letter and curriculum vitae by e-mail to Dr. Richard Brull or by mail to the following address:

Dr. Dr. Richard Brull
Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Management Fellowship
Toronto Western Hospital
399 Bathurst Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5T 2S8 CANADA

For questions about the Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Fellowship:
Contact: Dr. Richard Brull
Telephone: (416) 603-5118
Fax: (416) 603-6494
E-mail: Richard.brull@uhn.on.ca

Department Chair: Gerald O’Leary, MD
Head, Regional Anesthesia and Pain Program, Dept. of Anesthesia: Vincent Chan, MD FRCPC
Director, Regional Anesthesia Fellowship Program: Richard Brull, MD, FRCPC

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Updated July 6, 2005