Fellows participate in the didactic curriculum of the program during each year of training. The primary components of the curriculum are described below:

a) Grand Rounds. Grand Rounds is the premier weekly conference in our training program. The format includes case-presentations, clinical “gallops”, outside guest speakers and a pathology conference. The primary purpose of Grand Rounds is to allow trainees and faculty to challenging clinical cases in rheumatology. The outside speaker program supplements this learning by inviting leading experts to lecture on a series of topics determined by the faculty and fellows.

b) Introduction to Clinical Rheumatology. This conference meets 2-3 times per week during July and August. The primary objective of the conference is to introduce and review essential aspects of rheumatology patient care. Sessions are led by faculty in the Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, and other departments
at Duke. Specific lecture topics are focused on the following broad themes: i) physical diagnosis in rheumatology, ii) aspiration and injection techniques of the musculoskeletal system, iii) appropriate prescribing and monitoring of drug therapy in rheumatology practice, iv) imaging of the musculoskeletal system, v) methods for searching and appraising the medical literature, and vi) documentation requirements and quality of care parameters in clinical practice.

c) Rheumatology and Immunology Research Conference. The research conference takes place in a weekly seminar format and is attended by faculty and fellows in the Division, and a broad spectrum of the Medical Center community. The theme of research presentations focuses on the basic and clinical science related to the pathogenesis of rheumatologic disorders. Research fellows present a work-in-progress seminar each year.

d) Evidence-Based Rheumatology Conference. The purpose of this conference is to develop skills in obtaining and assessing evidence that guides patient care. The conference occurs twice monthly and is focused upon a specific clinical question (“Will a proton pump inhibitor prevent gastroduodenal ulcer in a 67 year old man taking NSAIDs for osteoarthritis?”). A series of clinical questions is developed for each of the fellows who alternate responsibility for performing literature searches, presenting the evidence, and appraising the quality of the evidence using established criteria in clinical epidemiology. The objective of this conference is to establish a life-long habit of ongoing critical appraisal of the clinical evidence that supports rheumatology patient care.

e) Radiology Conference. Imaging studies obtained by fellows and faculty from their clinical practice are presented at this twice monthly conference. Radiologists who specialize in musculoskeletal imaging lead this conference. Clinical correlations between imaging and clinical findings are discussed for each study presented.

f) Physical Diagnosis Conference. This is a monthly conference that reviews physical examination and aspiration/injection techniques for a specific component of the musculoskeletal system.

g) Journal Club. A recently published article in the field of rheumatology is reviewed each week by a fellow. Selection of articles is coordinated by the fellows and the program director.
Research Training

Fellows in the training program pursue a program in laboratory or clinical research that begins in the first year and continues in the second and third year. Trainees interested in clinical research may pursue a Masters of Health Sciences degree through a program supported by an NIH (K30) Clinical Research Curriculum Award. Trainees with an interest in basic science investigation pursue projects with mentors inside and outside of the Division of Rheumatology. A description of research opportunities in the Division and the Medical Center may be found in the web-links below.