This involves the acute management of severely ill patients with Connective Tissue Disease, Auto-immune conditions and Vasculitis and also the medical treatment and rehabilitation of potentially disabling Musculoskeletal disorders. During the period of attachment to Rheumatology, practical experience and tuition are offered in special diagnostic and therapeutic methods, including Joint and Soft Tissue Injection currently in use in the province.

Training Programme Details

• ST3 Rheumatology Job Description & Person Specifications

Courses

Courses that are not available locally but are regarded as essential to fulfill specialty training requirements, are listed below.  Where courses are considered to be highly desirable but not essential these are indicated.  The list is not entirely comprehensive and other courses may have to be assessed on their own merits.  For further information please consult the Study Leave Guidelines.

Essential

ST3 level and above

• ALS course updated every 2 years
• Attendance at SpR training days in Rheumatology (at least 5 per year)
• Attendance at SpR training days in General Medicine for those aiming for dual accreditation (at least 5 per year)
• (A one-off preparatory course for Rheumatology Specialist Knowledge Assessment is likely to be necessary from 2009 for new SpRs at ST4-5 level): mid-training.
• Attendance at Irish Society for Rheumatology meetings on an annual basis
• Attendance at least one meeting of the British Society for Rheumatology or European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) per year
• Regular attendance at the Musculoskeletal Ultrasound course during attachments in Belfast.

Highly Desirable

• Attendance at other continuing education and scientific courses and meetings at national and international level.

• Specialist interest in musculoskeletal ultrasound - attendance at national or international approved courses

• Specialist interest in Sports medicine – diploma course in SEM.

• Specialist interest in Osteoporosis – attendance at approved course in Bone Densitometry; Training for practitioners and operators in radiation protection IR(ME)R; preceptorship in a specialist unit. National and international osteoporosis meetings

• Specialist interest in EMG/Nerve Conduction studies – attendance at approved national courses and participation in specialist clinics.

• Specialist interest in Adolescent Rheumatology (with support of Specialty Training committee) – one year clinical attachment to a specialist unit

• Approved course on research methods & statistics (early stage of training)

• BSR Foot and ankle course

• BSR Advanced course

• American College of Rheumatology annual congress – at least once in training programme.

For information on other available courses click here

Contact Information