About the Addiction Medicine Clinical & Research Fellowship
The BCCSU Interdisciplinary Clinical Addiction Medicine Fellowship strives for excellence in clinical training, scholarship, research, and advocacy.
Each year, the BCCSU welcomes dozens of fellows to the program, the largest of its kind in North America. The program provides training to physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, pharmacists, and researchers to recognize, treat, and support patients with substance use disorders.
The program prepares Fellows to work as experts in the field of addiction medicine and take leadership roles in clinical, academic, and/or research settings, and includes specialty training in inpatient and outpatient addiction management, as well as related concurrent disorders training.
Fellows are trained in detox, in-patient addiction care, residential treatment, complex pain, and the physical and mental health issues that can accompany substance use and the impacts of prohibition. In addition, they work closely with health care practitioners from other specialties to manage concurrent disorders.
This part-time, one-year curriculum runs from July 1 to June 30.
Accepting applications for all fellowship streams starting September 4.
"The BCCSU fellowship program provided me with a unique learning experience, characterized by collaboration with outstanding scientists and access to exclusive datasets and research opportunities. The program's interdisciplinary approach and collegiality were highlights, along with the chance to continue collaborating on projects post-fellowship. I have successfully applied the knowledge acquired during the fellowship to my current practice in graduate studies, shaping my trajectory towards becoming a clinician-scientist specializing in addiction."
Anees Bahji, BSc(H), MD, CISAM, CCSAM, DABPN, FRCPC
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary Ph.D. Student, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary Addiction, Concurrent Disorder, and General Psychiatry Opioid Dependency Program
History
The Addiction Fellowship program was created in 2012, made possible by a $3 million donation to the St. Paul’s Foundation and the UBC Division of AIDS by Goldcorp, Inc.
It was established to address the gaps in addiction training for clinicians across disciplines, with the goal to build expertise and capacity across the health system to provide evidence-based treatment and care.
In the decade of its existence. the program has grown from first welcoming a handful of physicians to now providing trainings to dozens of fellows across a range of disciplines each year.
The program is now one part of the broader substance use and addiction training provided by the BCCSU in partnership with Providence Health Care, St. Paul’s Foundation, and the University of British Columbia (UBC).
"The fellowship is unique in its multidisciplinary approach to its program including doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, social work and pharmacists to get a well-rounded perspective on addictions medicine and patient care. It's wonderful to see the different strengths and perspectives different disciplines bring to journal clubs and academic days."
Stefani Human, RPN
Creekside Withdrawal Management Centre, Surrey BC
Streams
Find out more about the different addiction fellowship streams by clicking on the buttons below.
ADDICTION MEDICINE FELLOWSHIP ADDICTION NURSING FELLOWSHIP ADDICTION NURSE PRACTITIONER FELLOWSHIP ADDICTION PHARMACY FELLOWSHIP ADDICTION SOCIAL WORK FELLOWSHIP INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIVE ADDICTION MEDICINE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
"Addictions care now takes up about 50% of my practice, which could not have happened without the fellowship. For example, I now offer OAT to my rural indigenous community, which I could not previously do. I also manage outpatient alcohol withdrawal for patients who are not willing or suitable candidates for inpatient withdrawal management."
Dr. Robert Fox, MD, CCFP, FCFP, (C)ISAM, (C)AAMRO
Seabird Island Health Centre, A:yelexw House of Hope and Healing, and Traverse Youth Treatment Centre, Chilliwack BC
Funded fellowship opportunities are now available for self-identifying Indigenous applicants. Applicants are welcome to submit anytime. More details here.
Interested applicants should email Shanu Sandhu at [email protected].
"A highlight of the program was the monthly journal clubs, which encouraged collaboration and critical thinking. The discussion generated was always thought-provoking. I felt lucky to hear from colleagues representing a range of disciplines, including nursing, social work, and pharmacy. I left each session feeling capable of sharing findings with colleagues and integrating research into clinical practice."
Dr. Neasa Coll, MD, CCFP
"The interdisciplinary and highly immersive nature of this fellowship makes for a very unique learning experience. Coming from a social work perspective, the medicalized knowledge gleaned from programming and educational opportunities throughout this fellowship has bolstered my clinical skills both in the context of working with addictions medical staff, including physicians, as well as the populations we have the privilege to work alongside."
Kara Schultz, MSW, RSW
St. Paul's Hospital Lighthouse (Virtual RAAC) Clinic, Vancouver BC
"From the program, I am more confident in planning and conducting clinical program evaluations or quality improvement, interpreting and applying research that use both quantitative and qualitative study designs, and a better understanding of how to engage and participate on a research team for when future opportunities arise."
Kate Hodgson, NP
Contact
Questions? Contact us at [email protected].