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TRAINING SITE
NAME OF SITE: Alfred Hospital
Head of Unit:
Professor Flavia Cicuttini
Contact Details:
Phone: 03 9903 0555
Fax: 03 9903 0556
Number of Training Positions: 1
Research Interests of Unit:
There is ample opportunity for registrars to undertake a well defined project that will result in a peer-reviewed publication. The current major research focus is in the understanding of factors that effect joint cartilage in health and disease and role of new imaging modalities in rheumatology. Other areas include inflammatory/connective tissue diseases, medical synovectomy in haemophiliac arthropathy, heat-shock/proteins in rheumatoid arthritis, steroid use in osteopenia in inflammatory joint disease, epidemiology of rheumatic diseases, computerised rheumatology data bases.
STAFF:
Consultants: 6 sharing Ward Service; 7 Out Patient VMOs
Resident Staff: 1
Registrar 2008:
Facilities:
Office Space
Procedure Area
Library
Patient Services per week:
Average Inpatients: 2-4
Average Consultations: 6-8
Average Outpatients: 5
More than 3500 consultations per year. Inpatient beds at hospital are maintained on two campuses with 8 beds being located at the Caulfield General Medical Centre campus and one at the Alfred campus. It is expected that each trainee will also complete a well-supervised project that will be presented at a relevant meeting and result in a peer-reviewed publication.Types of Patients Seen (Approx. %):
Inflammatory/Connective Tissue Disease:50%
Degenerative/Soft Tissue: 40%
Chronic Pain: 10%
Other: Transplantation related gout, Cystic Fibrosis arthropathy, Haemophiliac arthropathy and HIV related diseases are conditions particular to the Alfred.
Procedures performed in unit:
Joint Injection/Aspiration
Eipdural injections
Education Activities:
Clinical Conference: 1 per week
X-Ray Conference: 1 per month
Histopathology Conference: 1
Journal Meeting: weekly
Additional Clinics Attended:
Previous registrars:
Dr Michael Gingold (2007)
Dr Maninder Mundae (2006)
Dr Emma Guymer (2005)
Dr Anne Powell (2004)
Dr Rebecca Grainger (2003)
Comments:
We have two very busy outpatient clinics, more than 3,500 consultations per year. Inpatient beds at our Hospital are maintained on two campuses with eight beds being located at the Caulfield General Medical Centre campus and one at the Alfred campus. It is expected that each trainee will also complete a well-supervised project that will be presented at a relevant meeting and result in a peer-reviewed publication.
Austin Health (updated July 2008)
TRAINING SITE NAME: Austin Health
Head of Unit: A/Prof Russell Buchanan
Contact Details:
Tel: 03 9496 2566
Fax: 03 9496 4012Number of Training Positions: 1
Research Interests of Unit:
1. Rheumatoid arthritis: epidemiology, clinical trials of novel biologic therapies, serologic biomarkers, translational research
2. Ankylosing spondylitis: epidemiology, work disability, effect of TNF blockers, sleep disturbance, CAM useSTAFF:
Consultants:
A/Prof Russell Buchanan
Dr Lionel Schachna
Dr Albera Hoi
Dr Kim Boyden
Dr Tony Kostos
Dr Esther Yenson-Chu
A/Prof Richard O'Brien
Registrar 2008:
Dr Simon Lam
Resident Staff: 1Facilities:
Office with registrar desktop computer
Library:online access to major rheumatology journals, UptoDate
Ambulatory Care Centre
Conference roomPatient Services per week:
Average Inpatients: 5-8
Average Consultations: 6-10
Average Outpatients: 4 outpatient clinics (1 new and 6 reviews per Clinic)Types of Patients Seen (Approx. %):
Inflammatory/Connective Tissue Disorders: 40%
Regional Musculoskeletal Disorders: 30%
Osteoarthritis and Crystal Arthropathy: 20%
Other: 10%Procedures performed in unit:
Joint aspiration/injection: 5-10 per week
Epidural Injection: 1-2 per week
Education Activities:
Clinical Conference weekly including:
- Registrar presentation: monthly
- Radiology conference: monthly
- Journal club: monthly
- Consultant presentation: monthly
- Histopathology: quarterly
In-house rheumatology trainee tutorial program
Orthopedic trainee tutorial programAdditional Clinics Attended:
Autoimmune Clinic
Combined Orthopedic/Rheumatology Clinic
Austin Spondylitis ClinicPrevious registrars:
Dr Michele Seah (2007)
Dr Simon Chatfield (2006)
Dr Mark Reed (2005)
Dr Suba Nadesapillai (2004)
Comments:
The Department of Rheumatology at Austin Health provides outstanding learning opportunities across the depth and breadth of rheumatology with particular strength and research opportunities in ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue diseases and regional musculoskeletal disorders. The Department is committed to provide ample teaching time and clinical exposure to foster the development of first-rate clinician rheumatologists. Each trainee is required to complete an independent research project where they will develop the research concept, design the study methodology and interpret their results under the direct supervision of a mentoring consultant. Successfully completed, this should result in presentation at a national or international scientific meeting and submission for peer-reviewed publication.
Southern Health, Monash Medical Centre (updated January 2008)
TRAINING SITE NAME: Southern Health, Monash Medical Centre - Clayton Campus
Head of Unit: A/Prof. Geoff Littlejohn
Contact Details:
Phone: 03 9594 3575
Fax: 03 9594 6512Number of Training Positions: 1
Research Interests of Unit:
Connective Tissue Disease, Inflammatory mechanisms (cytokines), Fibromyalgia, Spinal Pain Mechanisms. The unit is part of the Monash Centre for Inflammatory Diseases.STAFF:
Consultants:
A/Prof Eric Morand
Dr Marian Miller
Dr Daniel Lewis
Dr Michelle Leech
Dr Myew-Ling Toh
Dr Alberta Hoi
Dr Kathryn Johns
Dr Joanne Sahhar
Registrar 2008:
Dr Michael GingoldFacilities:
Equipment
Office Space
Secretarial Assistance
Procedure Area
Laboratory
LibraryPatient Services per week:
Average Inpatients: 6-10
Average Consultations: 7-10
Average Outpatients: 100Types of Patients Seen (Approx. %):
Inflammatory/Connective Tissue Disease:40%
Degenerative/Soft Tissue: 30%
Chronic Pain: 30%
Sports Injuries: <5%Procedures performed in unit:
Joint Injection/Aspiration: several times per week/Yttrium injectionsEducation Activities:
Clinical Conference: weekly
X-Ray Conference: monthly formal, weekly informal
Histopathology Conference: 2 monthly
Journal Meeting: weekly
Research Meeting: weekly
Combined Conferences: monthly combined orthopaedic meetingAdditional Clinics Attended:
3 clinics per week
Regional Clinic: Traralgon - monthlyPrevious registrars:
Drs Tina Racunica/Emma Guymer (2007)
Dr Sally Ayoub (2006)
Dr Anne Powell (2005)
Dr Anthony Boers (2004)
Dr Emma Guymer (2003)
Comments:
The Unit offers a wide experience of rheumatic disease, including paediatrics, in the setting of a large hospital, plus regional clinic and private practice experience.
TRAINING SITE NAME: Royal Melbourne Hospital
Head of Unit: Professor Ian Wicks
Contact Details:
Phone: 03 9342 7634
Fax: 03 9342 7632Number of Training Positions: 1
Research Interests of Unit:
Pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis
Cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis
Assessment of quality of life in rheumatic diseases
Patient education strategies
Epidemiology and public health of rheumatic diseases, especially osteoarthritisSTAFF:
Consultants:Prof. Ian Wicks
Dr Caroline Brand
Dr David Barraclough
Dr Helen Moran
Dr Peter Wong
Dr Sharon van Doornum
A/Prof. Geoff McColl
Dr Lynden Roberts
Dr Geoff Markov
Dr Rick Travers
Dr Alex Stockman
Dr Andrea Bendrups
Resident Staff: 1Registrars 2008:
Dr Maree Micallef/Dr Gene-Siew NgianFacilities:
Office Space and Secretarial Assistance Laboratory: Access to Dept. of Medicine and WEHI
Library: RMH and departmental
Other: strong links with WEHI (Prof I Wicks) and DOM (Prof John Hamilton)Patient Services per week:
Average Inpatients: 5 + 5 in Rehab. Unit
Average Consultations: 10 (2 ward rounds/week)
Average Outpatients: 3 outpatient clinics (1 new and 7 review patients per clinic)Types of Patients Seen (Approx. %):
Inflammatory/Connective Tissue Disease:50%
Degenerative/Soft Tissue, Osteoporosis: 50%Procedures performed in unit:
Joint Injection/Aspiration: 5-10 times per week
Infliximab infusions 1-2 per week
Epidural injections 1-2 per weekEducation Activities:
Clinical Conference: 1 per week
X-Ray Conference: 2 per week
Histopathology Conference: quarterly
Journal Meeting: quarterly
Research Meeting: as required
Combined Conferences: Monthly meeting with orthopaedics and VicARA
Teaching: trainee contributes to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.Additional Clinics Attended:
Rehab team meetings for rheumatology patients at Melbourne Extended CarePrevious registrars:
Dr Maninder Mundae/Simon Chatfield (2007)
Dr Mark Reed (2006)
Dr Simon Chatfield (2005)
Dr Sabina Ciciriello (2004)
Dr Suba Nadesapillai (2003)
Dr Lynden Roberts (2002)
Dr Mandy Nikpour (2001)
Dr Andrew Ostor (2000)
Comments:
Responsibility for supervision of inpatient work rotated between 4 consultants (Wicks, Barraclough, McColl, Markov). Strong links with basic and clinical research, with epidemiologist attached to our Unit (Dr Richard Osborne). Strong links with other musculoskeletal departments at RMH, including orthopaedics and osteoporosis, with general medicine (through Drs Bendrups, Markov and Roberts) and with clinical epidemiology (through Dr Caroline Brand).
St Vincent's Hospital (updated November 2008)
TRAINING SITE NAME: St Vincent's Hospital
Head of Unit: Dr Laurence Clemens
Contact Details:
Tel: 03 9417 7522
Fax: 03 9417 0922Number of Training Positions: 1
Research Interests of Unit:
1. Scleroderma. Database of Limited and Diffuse disease patients. Intervention studies in patients with pulmonary disease
2. Effect of Inflammatory disease on bone biology (collaborative with Dept of Medicine).
3. New therapies for Inflammatory Joint disease and Osteoarthritis.
4. Cardiovascular disease in SLE and Rheumatoid ArthritisSTAFF:
Consultants:
Dr L Clemens
Dr E Romas
Dr W Stevens
Dr T Godfrey
Dr M Nickpour
Dr K Lim
Dr M Wong
Dr F Laska
Dr Veronique Sayag-BoukrisResident Staff:
2nd Year RMO
Rheumatology Advanced Trainee
Clinical Trials Co ordinator
One full time ,one part time
B Med Science Student
Secretary (Shared with Orthopaedics)Registrar 2008:
Facilities:
Office Space: Director, Deputy Director and Clinical Trials Co ordinator have individual offices.
Trainee has own workstation with computer and phone in the Dept. Workroom; a large room with individual workstations for the clinical research groups.
Secretarial Assistance: Available for letters/abstracts, etc.
Laboratory: Shared with Dept. of Orthopaedics
Library: Main medical library receives major rheumatology journals
Other: Conference room with projector, video, etc.Patient Services per week:
Average Inpatients: 5
Average Consultations: 4
Average Outpatients: Rheumatology Clinic: 10-12 new, 70 old (2 clinics)Types of Patients Seen (Approx. %):
Inflammatory/Connective Tissue Disease:60%
Degenerative/Soft Tissue: 30%
Chronic Pain: 5%
Sports Injuries: 5%Procedures performed in unit:
Joint Injection/Aspiration: 5-10 per week
Epidural Injections: 10-20 per year
Muscle Biopsy: Referred to Neurosurgery
Nerve Conduction Studies: Performed by Neurology
EMG's: Performed by NeurologyEducation Activities:
Clinical Conference: Monthly Presentation
X-Ray Conference: Monthly
Histopathology Conference: Quarterly
Journal Meeting: Monthly
Research Meeting: Combined with Audit two-monthly
Combined Conferences: Registrar attends weekly orthopaedic surgery conference
Other: Rheumatology and orthopaedic clinics co-located. Plastic Surgeon attends Rheumatology clinic two-monthly. Unit meeting with P/T, O/T, Nursing staff weekly.
Medical Grandround Meetings
Presentation at Dept of Medicine Clinical MeetingsAdditional Clinics Attended:
Paediatric Rheumatology (Royal Children's fortnightly) Neuro-Immunology/Uveitis Clinic (Royal Vic. Eye & Ear Hospital)
Combined Renal/SLE clinicPrevious registrars:
Dr Simon Lam (2007)
Dr Maxine Szramka (2006)
Dr Sabina Cicirello (2005)
Dr Rebecca Grainger (2004)
Dr Linden Roberts (2003)
Dr Mandy Nickpour (2002)
Dr Melinda Wong (2001)
Dr Ling Toh (2000)Comments:
The present position offers broad exposure to all aspects of adult rheumatology and experience in immunosuppressive treatment for inflammatory diseases of eye, kidney and nervous system.Western Hospital (updated July 2008)
TRAINING SITE
NAME OF SITE: Western Hospital
Head of Unit:
Dr Keith Lim
Contact Details:
Phone: 03 9318 1722
Fax: 03 9318 3701
Number of Training Positions: 1
Research Interests of Unit:
Osteoarthritis: mechanisms of pain and clinical outcomes, drug interventions, orthopaedic surgery and outcomes.
Osteoporosis: clinical practice and outcomes, intervention in secondary fracture prevention.
STAFF:
Consultants:
Dr Keith Lim
Dr Veronique Sayag-Boukris (Senior Clinical Fellow)
Junior Medical Staff:
Registrar
HMO
Eashwary Mageswaran (Clinical Fellow)
Registrar 2008:
Dr Shom Bhattacharjee
Facilities:
Excellent library with work space
Day Care Procedure UnitPatient Services per week:
Average Inpatients: 2-4
Epidural injections average 1-2 per week
Average consultations: 5-8 (Rheumatology); 5-8 (Orthopaedic Medicine)Types of Patients Seen (Approx. %):
Inflammatory Arthritis: 30%
Soft Tissue rheumatism including Back pain & Osteoporosis: 30%
Osteoarthritis & Crystal Arthropathy: 20%
Connective Tissue Disease & others: 20%Procedures performed in unit:
Joint aspiration and injections
Epidural injections
Education Activities:
Weekly audit and case presentations at Dept. of Medicine
Weekly grand rounds including twice a year unit presentations
Weekly Professorial rounds
Meetings at RMH once a week
Additional Clinics Attended:
Outpatient clinic on Wednesdays at the RMH
Metabolic Bone Clinic (TBA)
Previous registrars:
Dr Maree Micallef (2007)
Dr Simon Lam (2006)
Dr Maninder Mundae (2005)
Comments:
This is a non-core job which is shared between Rheumatology and Medicine (Orthopaedic medicine). The rheumatology unit serves the large multicultural population of the Western suburbs. The outpatient clinic is extremely busy and provides an excellent base for learning and teaching. We see the full spectrum of rheumatic diseases and conditions. As one of the Melbourne University teaching hospitals, student and post-graduate teaching is expected. The library facilities are excellent. There are ample opportunities to discuss and present XRays, clinical cases and investigative results with the consultant rheumatologists, radiologists and other specialists in a friendly atmosphere. There are ample opportunities to participate in GP training sessions.
The trainee participates actively in the weekly clinical meetings of the Department of Medicine (Hospital grand rounds, Professorial grand rounds) and audit sessions held weekly. There will be two grand round presentations per year, one clinical, one research/audit based. Trainees are encouraged to undertake a project in the area of their choice. It is expected that the trainee presents a paper from the project at a rheumatology meeting and submit for publication. The units have strong interests in osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. It is likely that from 2007, the trainee will attend the metabolic bone clinic under the auspices of Professor Peter Ebeling. In addition, the trainee attends the Wednesday meetings and outpatients at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Australian Rheumatology Association
145 Macquarie Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Tel: 02 9256 5458
Fax: 02 9252 3310/9256 9692
email: robynm@racp.edu.au