Principal Teaching/Learning Activities
Current monthly teaching schedule
Clinical Case Conference (CCC) Weekly, Wednesday mornings 9:15-10:30 AM
The fellow on the BMC inpatient consult service presents patients active on the consult service. Approximately 20-25% of cases relate to musculoskeletal medicine rather than systemic rheumatic diseases. Outpatient cases are encouraged. The subsequent discussion with participating faculty, fellows, students and residents focuses on differential diagnosis and management decisions. At least one of the topics of discussion is strongly encouraged, followed by review of the related literature.
Attending Rounds (AR) Daily depending on the schedule of consult attending and fellow
Attending rounds provide an important opportunity for single case-based learning which emphasizes development of competence and then proficiency in obtaining rheumatologic history, rheumatology physical exam skills, procedural skills, interpreting laboratory data, generating a rheumatology differential diagnosis and developing appropriate management plans.
Clinical Electives
1) Sarcoidosis fellows have the opportunity to rotate for a month in the world-famous BUMC Sarcoid Clinic, which attracts >200 new sarcoidosis cases per year.
2) Rheumatology Pediatrics Clinic. Fellows have a chance to rotate for 1-2 months in the rheumatology pediatrics clinic, where they get personalized instruction from a pediatric rheumatologist to augment their knowledge and help prepare them for their board examinations.
Didactic Lecture Series Weekly early in the academic year, bi-weekly thereafter
A didactic lecture series given by key and other faculty which covers all major topics in rheumatology.
Pathology Conference (PC) Quarterly
A conference devoted to review of histopathologic specimens from in- or out-patients conducted by pathology faculty. Reviewed specimens may include skin, bone, muscle, joint, kidney, brain or other organ pathology. Each review is preceded by presentation of the case by the responsible fellow.
Radiology Conference (RC)
1) A biweekly conference devoted to plain musculoskeletal radiography, based on Dr. Burton Sack’s 40-year collection, led by Dr. Kissin
2) A quarterly conference conducted by senior radiology faculty focuses on MRI imaging of rheumatic disease.
3) Weekly conference devoted to MSK for 2nd year fellows.
Journal Club (JC) Monthly
A review and critique of recent rheumatology literature. Each fellow generally prepares an article to review for each journal club. Participants include key faculty, other fellows, residents and students.
Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) Journal Club: Fellow picks the article, and discusses the methodology with a clinical epidemiology staff person least 1 week in advance. There are 10 research study types to choose from (cross-sectional cohort study, vs. RTC, vs. meta-analysis, etc.) and schedule at the beginning of the academic year (2-3 per fellow). It focuses more on methods, possible bias, and article criticism.
Inter-Hospital Rounds (IHR) Monthly
An evening session of interesting rheumatology cases hosted by each of the major Boston teaching hospitals. Fellows formally present cases they have personally been involved with and direct a discussion of the differential diagnosis, diagnostic studies, and review the relevant literature.
Dermatology-Rheumatology Rounds Monthly
A monthly conference devoted to shared interest with the Department of Dermatology with whom we share a Thursday morning clinic. Rheumatology and dermatology fellows take turns presenting on topics of interest to both groups. Fellows get personalized instruction and mentorship from faculty in preparing their presentations.
Reading Assignments Every 1-2 weeks
A new topic and article is assigned with an associated clinical case, along with open ended questions for the fellows to answer. Fellows receive individualized critiques and feedback on their responses.
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