Senior Resident

Get more involved with addiction medicine programs at your institution and make sure to let faculty know you are interested in pursuing a fellowship program. Refine your clinical skills in the treatment of acute intoxication, withdrawal, and overdose in the emergency department (ED). Prepare for the fellowship application process by fostering relationships with faculty and continuing to demonstrate interest in the field.

Clinical Skills

• Take lead roles in managing patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) in the ED. Develop expertise in managing acute withdrawal, treating overdose, and initiating medication for addiction treatment (MAT) in the ED.
• Continue to seek out electives in addiction medicine or toxicology. Engage in both inpatient and outpatient settings to understand the full spectrum of addiction treatment.
• Know the resources in your community and connect patients from the ED.
• Understand management of common comorbidities with SUDs.

Fellowship Prep

• Research fellowship programs. Consider whether programs allow flexibility for moonlighting shifts in their ED and/or external moonlighting opportunities if that is important to you.
• Establish relationships with addiction medicine specialists. Ask for letters of recommendation from faculty that can speak to your interest in the specialty.

Leadership

• Seek out leadership roles in your hospital or community. Consider joining or starting interdisciplinary committees focused on addiction treatment.
• If not already available, consider working with departmental and hospital committees to standardize SUD treatment and follow-up.
• Get involved in public health/policy initiatives in your community.