ACR Meeting Abstracts

ACR Meeting Abstracts

  • Home
  • Meetings Archive
    • ACR Convergence 2020
    • 2020 ACR/ARP PRSYM
    • 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting
    • 2018 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
    • 2017 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
    • 2017 ACR/ARHP PRSYM
    • 2016-2009 Meetings
    • Download Abstracts
  • Keyword Index
  • Advanced Search
  • Your Favorites
    • Favorites
    • Login
    • Register
    • View and print all favorites
    • Clear all your favorites
  • Meeting Resource Center

Abstract Number: 2884

Training the Rheumatologists of Tomorrow: The Canadian Experience

Alfred Cividino1, Volodko Bakowsky2, Susan Barr3, Louis Bessette4, Nader Khalidi5, Christian A. Pineau6, Janet E. Pope7, David Robinson8, Kam Shojania9, Elaine Yacyshyn10, Lynne Lohfeld11 and Diane Crawshaw12, 1Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada, 2Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada, 3University of Calgary, Heritage Medical Research Bldg, Calgary, AB, Canada, 4Rheumatology, Laval University, Québec, QC, Canada, 5Division of Rheumatology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada, 6Rheumatology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada, 7St Joseph Health Care, London, ON, Canada, 8Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winepeg, MB, Canada, 9Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 10562 Heritage Med Rsch Ctr, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, 11Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada, 12Nursing, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

Meeting: 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

Keywords: Educational innovation and trainee

  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print
Save to PDF
Session Information

Session Title: Education

Session Type: Abstract Submissions (ACR)

Background/Purpose: Many countries face a shortage of rheumatologists. Based on an accepted benchmark of 1 specialist per 50,000 people as the number needed for effective patient care1, recent figures show severe shortages in the U.S.2and Canada.3This qualitative environmental scan was designed to identify what faculty, administrators and learners associated with Canadian postgraduate rheumatology programs identify as appropriate means and messages that programs could use to attract future trainees. 

Methods: Individual-level data from program faculty (F), administrators and learners (L) across Canada (n = 103) were collected via an online survey (n=78) and interviews (n = 25). Data were subjected to Thematic Framework Analysis to identify commonalities across sites to determine ways to address the rheumatology manpower shortage. Quotes are provided as examples.

Results:

Participants: There were 103 respondents from nine programs including learners (medical students, junior residents (PGY1-3) rheumatology residents (PGY4-6) or new graduates); program and division directors and their assistants; and faculty in academic centres or community practices. Two-thirds of the survey respondents were female.

      Ways to Increase Interest in Rheumatology: The need for rheumatologists was widely recognized. Respondents advocated targeting both undergraduates (“People who influenced me were [role models] I had as a medical student” [F]) and junior residents in Internal Medicine. Proposed methods included increasing exposure to rheumatology in undergraduate programs through formal lectures and courses, clinical skills and other hands-on training sessions, faculty available to shadow or mentor learners and postgraduate weekend information and training sessions, mandatory rotation for Internal Medicine residents, internships and career counseling.  

     Messaging to Promote Rheumatology: Messages to brand rheumatology as an attractive specialty included the intellectual challenge (“This field fascinates me” [L]; “novel immunotherapies make it very exciting” [F]), stimulating workday (“nice mix of procedural and cerebral work” [L]), positive relationships with colleagues and patients (“According to a recent survey we are the happiest specialists” [F]), alleviating suffering (“We know how to treat arthritis now” [L]), good quality of life and excellent job prospects (“the health care system needs you” [F]).

Conclusion:

We found consensus on the need to inform potential trainees about rheumatology early in their education through a variety of messages and methods. Because of the shortage of rheumatologists it is important to increase awareness and information about the field by selectively using limited resources. The next step would be to collaboratively develop, test and evaluate tools designed to help increase the number of future rheumatologists, which will be applicable in many locales.    

References:   1Karolinska Institutet/i3 Innovus. (2009) (http://www.comparatorreports.se/RA%20 Barrier%20Report_FINAL_050110.pdf); 2Deal et al. (2007). Arthritis & Rheumatism 56(3):722-729; : 32012 CMA Masterfile (www.cma.ca/multimedia/CMA/Content_Images/Inside_cma/Statistics/ 02SpecAge.pdf


Disclosure:

A. Cividino,
None;

V. Bakowsky,
None;

S. Barr,
None;

L. Bessette,
None;

N. Khalidi,
None;

C. A. Pineau,
None;

J. E. Pope,
None;

D. Robinson,
None;

K. Shojania,
None;

E. Yacyshyn,
None;

L. Lohfeld,
None;

D. Crawshaw,
None.

  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print
Save to PDF

« Back to 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/training-the-rheumatologists-of-tomorrow-the-canadian-experience/

Advanced Search

Your Favorites

You can save and print a list of your favorite abstracts by clicking the “Favorite” button at the bottom of any abstract. View your favorites »

ACR Convergence: Where Rheumatology Meets. All Virtual. November 5-9.

ACR Pediatric Rheumatology Symposium 2020

© COPYRIGHT 2021 AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RHEUMATOLOGY

Wiley

  • Home
  • Meetings Archive
  • Advanced Search
  • Meeting Resource Center
  • Online Journal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Permissions Policies
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
This site uses cookies: Find out more.