Rheumatologists and Trainees > Training
> About Advanced Training in Rheumatology
> Non
Core Training Requirements for Training in Rheumatology
> Training Opportunities
> News and Events
> A Career in Rheumatology - Training Articles of Interest
> Rheumatology Clinical Workforce
> Victorian Workforce Survey 2004
About Advanced Training in Rheumatology
Rheumatology is the branch of internal medical dealing with the diagnosis and management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders, including all forms of arthritis; connective tissue disease; spinal and soft tissue disorders; chronic musculoskeletal pain syndromes; and certain metabolic bone disorders, particularly osteoporosis.
As the population ages, chronic diseases, including musculoskeletal conditions, are on the increase. Thus Rheumatology is a growing medical subspecialty and one that provides great opportunities and challenges.
Be part of the solution
. In 1995, almost 5 million Australians (26% of the total population)
reported one or more musculoskeletal diseases or conditions.
. A majority of these, 17% of the total population, reported their problem
or condition as being long term (of 6 months duration or more).
. Arthritis and back problems were reported most commonly by 15% and 6%
of the total population respectively.
. In 1998, about 1.2 million Australians were reported to have a disability
due to arthritis or other musculoskeletal disorder. This represents about
1/3 of people with a disability. Such disability has significant impact
on core activities such as self-care, mobility and communication and impacts
on schooling and employment.
Rheumatology offers diversity of practice and the opportunity to contribute to patient care as a member of a multidisciplinary team. It brings together acute and chronic care as well as hospital and ambulatory work. Opportunities for scientific and clinical research are also considerable, so too are those for teaching and work in public health.
The current requirements for advanced training in Rheumatology
can be obtained by clicking on this link to the Royal Australasian College
of Physicians website:
http://www.racp.edu.au/training/adult2003/advanced/vocational/rheumatology.htm
Non Core Training Requirements for Training in Rheumatology
Following is the wording of the RACP 'Mango' book 2004 regarding non core training requirements for training in rheumatology. The book will be available in hard copy from mid-September 2003. It is available on the College website at: www.racp.edu.au
In Australia, in general, it is recommended that the non-core year be spent working as a rheumatology registrar. However, enrolment as a full time PhD, MD or MPH student will be accepted as a non core year. A non core year in which 50% or more time is spent in rheumatology and up to a maximum of 50% time is spent in one of the following optional areas may be considered for approval on a case by case basis:
- general medicine, geriatric medicine or paediatrics;
a medical specialty (eg. immunology, haematology, gastroenterology, nephrology or neurology);
- orthopaedic surgery;
- a pain management service;
- laboratory medicine particularly immunology;
- rehabilitation medicine;
- epidemiology;
- radiology and/or nuclear medicine;
- clinical pharmacology;
- regional/rural training
Applications for non core training should be submitted to the SAC for prospective approval before June in the year prior to commencement of the proposed training.
In New Zealand, time spent in one of the following areas may be approved as non core training:
- a medical specialty eg. immunology, haematology, gastroenterology, nephrology, neurology or geriatrics;
- orthopaedic surgery;
- pain management service;
- laboratory medicine, particularly immunology;
- rehabilitation medicine;
- epidemiology;
- radiology and/or nuclear medicine;
- clinical pharmacology;
- general medicine;
- PhD or MD studies
Trainees who are contemplating other types of non core training should submit a proposal to the SAC Chair at least six months prior to the commencement of the proposed training.
Training
Opportunities
There are currently 23 sites in Australia where advanced training in rheumatology
is carried out. Descriptions of the advanced training programs available
at a number of these sites can be accessed by clicking on the map below.
News and Events
Exchange Program for Advanced Trainees in Rheumatology Between
Australia and New Zealand
There is agreement in principle on both sides of the Tasman for
this program. A challenge remains as to how prospective Advanced
Trainees will decide which Centres they wish to train in.
Rural Task Force Report
The Rural Taskforce of RACP recently approached the Education
& Training Committee to prepare an outline of how Rheumatology (Adult
and Paediatric) plans to improve rural Rheumatology services over the
next few years. A draft document has been distribued for comment
to a number of rurally based rheumatologists as well to the SAC in Rheumatology.
A Career in Rheumatology -
Training Articles of Interest
Trainees may be interested in a recent article published in the BMJ (BMJ 2003;326:S157 - 10 May) written by Inam Haq, specialist registrar in rheumatology and Ian Giles, specialist registrar in rheumatology (University College, London). Covers topics: "A career in Rheumatology", "What do rheumatologists do?", "Would I make a good rheumatologist?", "Research opportunities" and much more. Go go:
http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/326/7397/S157a?eaf
Rheumatology Trainees are encouraged to visit the NZRA website which contains details of Centres for Rheumatology Training in New Zealand (within the "Directory of New Zealand Rheumatologists"). Go to:
http://www.rheumatology.org.nz/nz04000.htm
Rheumatology Clinical Workforce
Attached for your interest is selected information from the 2001 Clinical Workforce Survey prepared by the RACP. The information contained included all Fellows of the RACP who indicated rheumatology as their primary or secondary area of practice, regardless of the number of hours they are active in delivering clinical services. The total number of Fellows differs from the published RACP Clinical Workforce Surveys 2001, as Fellows who work less than 5 hours in clinical practice were excluded from this survey.
The
2003 survey is well underway, but will not be reported on until the end
of 2003/ early 2004. The whole of the College workforce survey is
available to members from
the RACP website:
http:www.racp.edu.au/members/hpu/clinicalsurvey2001.pdf
Victorian Workforce Survey 2004
Workforce issues
have been a particular priority for the organisation. A significant first
step has been undertaken with the conduct of a Workforce Survey in March/April
this year. The survey has been designed with the assistance of the Australian
Medical Workforce Advisory Committee (AMWAC) to enable comparison with
survey results from other specialist groups.
In addition to establishing general workforce information the survey has
sought member input on practice issues such as patient information, follow-up
systems and referral systems, these being areas of increasing interest
to rheumatology practice. The survey will enable the organisation to
map rheumatology service provision across the State in terms of sessions
available by location and waiting times, and thus guide appropriate action.
The results of the survey were presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting
in Cairns in May. Thanks to Caroline Brand for her lead role in this project.
To download the Preliminatry Report please click
here (linked to members-only site).
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email: robynm@racp.edu.au