Residents interested in Rheumatology should seek out elective and procedure experiences that provide exposure to a wide range of rheumatologic conditions and the multidisciplinary care involved in their management. Engaging in these rotations allows residents to work closely with specialists, refine their diagnostic and treatment skills, and better understand the complexity of conditions such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and autoinflammatory syndromes.
Contact
Jennifer Huggins & McKenzie Vater
Essential Electives
Rheumatology
In this half- or full-block elective, residents will attend various outpatient rheumatology clinics and work closely with the multidisciplinary team involved in caring for patients with rheumatologic conditions.
- General Rheumatology Clinic: Exposure to conditions such as JIA, SLE, JDM, uveitis, and periodic fever syndromes, held daily
- Autoinflammatory Clinic: First Tuesday morning each month
- Neuroinflammatory Clinic: First Wednesday each month
- Rheumatology/Dermatology Combined Clinic: Fourth Wednesday afternoon each month
- Ultrasound Clinic: Available Monday through Wednesday afternoons and Thursday mornings
- PT/OT and Specialty Pharmacy: Daily opportunities to observe and learn from these support services
- Supervision: One-on-one mentoring from rheumatology attendings, along with rounding on primary and consulting patients with fellows and attendings
- Procedures: Observation of musculoskeletal ultrasound and joint aspirations
Recommended Electives
Radiology
In this half-block elective, residents will review musculoskeletal imaging (radiographs and MRI) to increase knowledge of common findings in JIA and other rheumatologic conditions.
Nephrology
In this half- or full-block elective, residents will learn to care for patients with a broad range of renal diseases, focusing on lupus nephritis as seen in systemic lupus erythematosus.
Procedures: Dialysis, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), and kidney biopsy
Pulmonary
In this half- or full-block elective, residents will manage patients with a wide range of pulmonary diseases, including those related to interstitial lung diseases often seen in sJIA
Procedures: Interpret pulmonary function tests (PFTs)
Allergy/Immunology
In this half- or full-block elective, residents will explore a variety of immunologic disorders, some of which overlap with rheumatologic conditions.
Other Electives
Infectious Diseases
In this half- or full-block elective, residents will see a variety of infectious diseases that can present similarly to rheumatologic disorders. They will also manage immunosuppressed patients, understanding how infections can present differently and require unique treatment approaches.
Pathology
In this half-block elective, residents will learn how to analyze samples relevant to rheumatology, including lupus nephritis biopsies, chronic noninfectious osteomyelitis specimens, and synovial biopsies.
Ophthalmology
In this half-block elective, residents can work with ophthalmologists to address conditions such as uveitis, the most common eye pathology in rheumatologic patients.
Procedure: Slit lamp examinations
Gastroenterology
In this half-block elective, residents will manage gastrointestinal diseases with musculoskeletal manifestations, including inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease.
Recommended procedures
- Joint injections
- Arthrocentesis
- Point of care ultrasound
- Slit lamp examinations
Other Experiences
Rheumatology Division Conferences
Scholarly Activity
Most applicants pursuing Rheumatology participate in a scholarly project. The project does not have to be housed in the Division of Rheumatology specifically, but most residents applying to Cardiology have completed a project with a Division mentor. The quality the mentoring and methodology are the most important criteria programs consider.
Professional Organizations
American College of Rheumatology (ACR)
The ACR is a professional association dedicated to advancing the specialty of rheumatology. It offers educational resources, publishes scientific journals, and hosts the annual ACR Convergence meeting, which is the premier event for rheumatology professionals.
Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA)
CARRA is a collaborative research organization focused on preventing, treating, and curing pediatric rheumatic diseases. It supports clinical and translational research, maintains a comprehensive patient registry, and fosters a community of researchers and clinicians dedicated to improving outcomes for children with rheumatic conditions.
Journals & Online Resources
Toronto/Sick Kids Rheumatology Review
JIA podcast series