Addiction is a complex mental health condition, one that often comes attached to stigma that can make treatment difficult. According to the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers, while around 23 million Americans need treatment for substance abuse disorders, only 10% receive treatment.  

The University of Kansas Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences seeks to improve the treatment of addiction disorders by training knowledgeable, compassionate and communicative addiction psychiatrists. The department’s one-year addiction psychiatry fellowship program offers a variety of training experiences, research opportunities and mentorship. 

Current fellows Melissa Perchellet, M.D., and Satneet Singh, M.D., believe that the program’s unique qualities and top-tier faculty set it apart.  

“I did a lot of research on KU, and what attracted me to the fellowship was the faculty,” said Singh, who completed medical training in India, Russia and the United Kingdom before arriving in Kansas. “Their clinical and leadership roles, plus their wealth of experience in addiction psychiatry, make this program a well-rounded learning experience.” 

A renowned addiction psychiatrist, Roopa Sethi, MBBS, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, directs the fellowship program.  Sethi has worked to create a dynamic learning environment for fellows.  

“Our program offers a full array of experiences for our fellows,” Sethi said. “Fellows get hands-on training through our opioid treatment program and buprenorphine clinic, among other clinical opportunities. They also gain experience treating a range of patients — adolescents, older patients, pregnant patients.” 

Fellows learn to connect with and treat patients from all walks of life through motivational interviewing, a person-centered counseling technique that strengthens one’s commitment to make a positive behavior change.   

“Our fellows spend dedicated time with patients and their families to help build rapport,” Sethi said. “Motivational interviewing helps build that rapport while also developing the fellows’ communication skills.” 

Perchellet, who practiced general adult psychiatry for fifteen years before entering the fellowship program, reflected on the importance of connecting with patients and learning to do so under Sethi’s guidance.  

“Addiction is complicated, and physicians need to stay focused on how to help individual patients with their specific situations. Dr. Sethi’s a really good example of how to get to the heart of the matter with patients.” 

Observing and learning from faculty like Sethi has impacted how Perchellet and Singh approach their own teaching of medical students who express an interest in addiction psychiatry.  

“There’s just not enough addiction psychiatrists to handle the addiction crisis we’re facing, so passing on our knowledge is so important,” Perchellet said. “There’s going to be constant teaching, and you need to learn to communicate with and mentor other physicians on how to address addiction crises in our community.” 

Communication and collaboration are essential aspects of the program for Perchellet and Singh. They not only work alongside each other in clinics — they have also presented their research on opioid use disorders across the region, including at the Kansas Society of Interventional Pain Physicians annual conference in September. 

“I’m so lucky that Dr. Perchellet is here,” Singh said. “She’s very thorough and compassionate with her patients, and so approachable when it comes to communication.”  

Perchellet shares similar feelings about her partnership with Singh. 

“I really appreciate his open communication style,” Perchellet said. “He’s extremely personable, and just a good partner in communicating.” 

Sethi and the other fellowship program faculty know how important these professional connections are in the small but growing field of addiction psychiatry. 

“Addiction psychiatrists are often collaborating with addiction professionals in the opioid treatment program and consult services to develop treatment plans,” Sethi said. “Multidisciplinary communication with other teams is key.” 

KU’s addiction psychiatry fellowship program has earned a reputation for preparing exceptional providers for this burgeoning field. 

“If you’re going to be trained in the expanding field of addiction psychiatry, this is the best place in the region to go,” Perchellet said.