Background/Purpose:
Immunologic mechanisms play an integral role in the understanding of rheumatic conditions. Currently, there is limited access to standardized formal instruction in immunology for trainees across Canada. A comprehensive immunology curriculum is essential for adult rheumatology trainees to meet the competencies required for practice and mandated by the national accrediting body.
The purpose of this project is to review the current immunology curriculum amongst adult rheumatology training programs across Canada. We will compare the self identified learning needs of rheumatology residents with the perceived learning needs of rheumatology program directors and will seek to integrate these needs into a focused nationwide immunology curriculum for rheumatology training programs
Methods:
Rheumatology trainees and program directors from rheumatology programs across Canada were asked to complete an online questionnaire and rank a comprehensive list of immunology topics. A modified Delphi approach was used to obtain consensus on topics to be included in the curriculum
Results:
38 rheumatology trainees and 15 program directors were contacted between March 1 to May 31 2012. 42% of trainees and 66% of program directors responded, with a total 49% response rate. Of the rheumatology trainees, 67% had prior experience in immunology, which consisted of undergraduate and graduate courses. Teaching formats and formal teaching hours varied between sites. Only 31% of trainees and 42% of program directors felt the current method of teaching immunology was effective. Preliminary results reveal high concordance between the majority of topics ranked by Trainees and Program Directors. However, discordance was seen with the topics of diagnostic laboratory immunology and therapeutics, immunomodulators and immunosupressants.
Conclusion:
There is a need to improve immunology teaching in rheumatology training programs. Preliminary results show a high concordance between the majority of topics ranked by trainees and program directors, however discordance is seen with others. Final completion of the Delphi will allow for a national consensus and more definitive conclusions. This study provides the groundwork for development of future national immunology curricula.
Disclosure:
S. L. Chow,
None;
D. Mahendira,
None;
S. Herman-Kideckel,
None;
H. McDonald-Blumer,
None.
« Back to 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/immunology-for-rheumatology-residents-working-towards-a-national-curriculum-consensus/