ELECT EPEDS - Pediatric Rheumatology

1. Focusing histories, physicals, and oral and written communication appropriately.
2. Sharing information effectively with a patient and family.
3. Prioritizing and organizing work effectively.
4. Continuing to think about and re-assess the patient during the course of their disease.
5. Functioning as a “team player” with residents, attendings, nurses, ancillary staff and all others involved in the care of the patient.

• Independently collect focused and comprehensive, developmentally appropriate patient histories and physical examinations in the context of childhood rheumatic diseases.
• Develop a prioritized and inclusive problem list.
• Summarize interval patient information and rationale for ongoing clinical management.
• Suggest appropriate diagnostic tests for the patient’s chief complaint and other medical problems.

Medical Knowledge

• Recognize common conditions presenting with musculoskeletal pain in children
• Improve knowledge of diagnostic tests used in pediatric rheumatology
• Review pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of rheumatic diseases in children, including JIA, juvenile dermatomyositis, SLE, vasculitis and autoinflammatory diseases
• Become familiar with the use and complications of immunosuppressive medications including biologic agents

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

• Communicate effectively with patients and families across a broad range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
• Provide education and patient instructions to patients and families, using written or visual methods, taking into account their health literacy level.
• Write organized, appropriately focused, and accurate patient notes.

Professionalism

• Demonstrate personal accountability, integrity, compassion, respect, altruism, and empathy when interacting with all members of the health care team, patients and their families, in order to provide the best patient care.
• Demonstrate punctuality and ability to complete patient care tasks efficiently.

Practice-Based Learning and Improvement

• Demonstrate self-directed learning in daily practice
  • Identify strengths, deficiencies, and limits in one’s knowledge and clinical skills through self evaluation
  • Develop a plan for improvement, perform appropriate learning activities, solicit and incorporate feedback
• Demonstrate evidence-based clinical practice
  • Access appropriate resources to answer clinical questions
  • Critically appraise relevant literature and incorporate it into patient care

Systems-Based Practice

• Review normal musculoskeletal physical exam
• Differentiate arthralgia from arthritis
• Demonstrate the appropriate utilization of consultants, including social workers, physical and occupational therapists

Rounds made daily with the faculty attending.  All rheumatology consults are seen and informal teaching sessions are conducted. Students follow each case, see consults initially and write consultation and progress notes under the direction and guidance of the faculty attending. There may be opportunities for observing arthrocentesis and intra- articular steroid injection therapy.

Reading Assignments:
A reading list of recent review articles in pediatric rheumatology will be provided.

Offered: All except 6 & 7

Pass/Fail