Understanding Ways to Improve Interventional Spine Exposure During Medical Training: A Quality Survey of Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine Fellowship Program Directors

Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine (ISMM) is an innovative and expanding fellowship supported by the North American Spine Society (NASS) that uses minimally invasive techniques to diagnose and manage spine and musculoskeletal pain. This study surveys ISMM fellowship program directors (PDs) to provide greater awareness to applicants about ISMM, their career motivations, important trainee characteristics, and ISMM’s distinct role within PM&R. An anonymous survey was distributed to ISMM PDs and current fellows. It assessed participant demographics, career motivations, trainee characteristics, and differentiation of ISMM versus Pain Medicine (PM) and Sports Medicine. Qualitative thematic analysis was performed using the free-text response. 12/30 (40%) ISMM PDs and 8 fellows completed the survey. Common motivations included strong job security, competitive salary, procedural focus, and obtaining advanced skills. Most did not consider research a major factor but emphasized the importance of research due to the rapidly expanding innovation in spine care. All respondents agreed that earlier exposure and mentorship are crucial in shaping career paths. Additionally, PDs noted key differences between ISMM and PM, emphasizing the need for awareness of ISMM as a career path. These findings highlight the importance of early exposure, mentorship, passion, and a clear understanding of ISMM for interested applicants.