Using simulation and standardized patients to teach vital skills to pain medicine fellows.

INTRODUCTION: Simulation is an evolving aspect of medical education. The role of simulation in training programs is variable, however, in technical specialties such as surgery and anesthesiology its role is quickly becoming a standard part of training programs. Pain fellowship programs must teach clinical diagnostic skills, pharmacology and pathophysiology, in addition to interventional skills to fellows with varying residency backgrounds. METHODS: The implementation of a hybrid simulation course into the pain fellowship curriculum allows for active learning as fellows experience challenging patient scenarios, stressful periprocedural events, and cases gone awry that require emergency algorithm recall and action. CONCLUSION: This report describes the incorporation of simulation and crucial conversations into a pain fellowship curriculum.