Consult Year 1
RHEUMATOLOGY CONSULT SERVICE-YEAR 1
The principle educational goals for the Consult Service for first year rheumatology fellows are indicated for each of the six ACGME competencies. The goals for BMC and VA consult service rotations are identical. The second column of the table below indicates the relevant principle teaching/learning for each goal, using the legend below.
Legend for Learning Activities (See attached for explanation)
| AR-Attending Rounds | DPC-Direct Patient Care |
| CCC-Clinical Case Conference | RC-Radiology Conference |
| FC-Fellow Curriculum | JC-Journal Club |
| PC-Pathology Conference | Inter-Hospital Rounds-IHR |
*All Fellows are expected to read about their patients in an appropriate rheumatology text and supplement this general reading with references in the primary literature. Additionally Fellows are expected to communicate copies of relevant primary literature/reviews to housestaff and others who request consultation.
| 1) Patient Care Principle Educational Goals |
Learning Activities* |
| Obtain a rheumatic disease history | DPC, AR, CCC, FC |
| Examine the musculoskeletal system | DPC, AR, CCC, FC |
| Develop basic rheumatology procedural skills | DPC, AR |
| Define and prioritize the patient’s rheumatic problems | DPC, AR, CCC, FC, PC, RC |
| Generate and prioritize differential diagnoses | DPC, AR, CCC, FC |
| Develop rational, evidence-based management strategies | DPC, AR, CCC, FC, PC, RC |
| 2) Medical Knowledge Principle Educational Goals |
Learning Activities* |
| Expand clinically applicable knowledge base of the basic and clinical sciences underlying the care of rheumatology inpatients | DPC, AR, CCC, FC, PC, RC, JC, IHR |
| Access and critically evaluate current medical information and scientific evidence relevant to rheumatic patient care | DPC, AR, CCC, FC, PC, RC, JC, IHR |
| 3) Practice-Based Learning and Improvement Principle Educational Goals |
Learning Activities* |
| Identify and acknowledge gaps in personal knowledge and skills in the care of hospitalized patients | DPC, AR, CCC, FC, JC, IHR |
| Develop and implement strategies for filling gaps in knowledge and skills | AR, CCC, FC, JC, IHR |
| 4) Interpersonal Skills and Communication Principle Educational Goals |
Learning Activities* |
| Communicate effectively with patients and their families | DPC, AR, CCC |
| Communicate effectively with physician colleagues at all levels | DPC, AR, CCC, IHR |
| Communicate effectively with all non-physican members of the health care team to assure comprehensive and timely rheumatology care of hospitalized patients | DPC, AR, CCC, PC, RC |
| Present patient information concisely and clearly, verbally and in writing | DPC, AR, CCC, PC, RC, IHR |
| Teach colleagues effectively | DPC, AR, CCC, PC, RC, IHR |
| 5) Professionalism Principle Educational Goals |
Learning Activities* |
| Behave professionally toward patients, families, colleagues, and all members of the health care team | All |
| 6) Systems-Based Practice Principle Educational Goals |
Learning Activities* |
| Understand and utilize the multidisciplinary resources necessary to care optimally for hospitalized rheumatology patients | DPC |
| Collaborate with other members of the health care team to assure comprehensive rheumatology patient care | DPC |
| Use evidence-based, cost-conscious strategies in the care of hospitalized rheumatology patients | All |
Evaluation Methods
Fellows are formally evaluated in writing, using ABIM standard evaluation forms by attendings quarterly and reviewed with the fellow by the Program Director twice yearly. The Program Director reviews all evaluations as they occur. If an unfavorable or marginal evaluation is received, an urgent appointment with the Program Director is scheduled to review the issues raised in the evaluation.
