Pediatric Rheumatology

Purpose and Rationale for the Course: The purpose of this course is to introduce medical students to Rheumatology as a pediatric specialty. This specialty cares for children with complex multi-system autoimmune diseases such as juvenile arthritis, lupus and systemic vasculitis. Most of these diseases involve multiple organ systems and trainees can expect to learn about how autoimmune diseases affect different organs. Trainees will be exposed to thorough history taking skills and musculoskeletal exam skills in children. Pediatric Rheumatology is a referral based specialty. Medical students will have the opportunity to evaluate new patients for complex autoimmune disease or other benign conditions that cause musculoskeletal complaints. This course will provide a strong foundation in pediatrics and introduction to management of chronic diseases in children. Students will be invited to see interesting inpatient consults, attend weekly didactics in addition to outpatient clinics.

Course Description: Third- or fourth-year medical students will rotate through Pediatric Rheumatology service for a 2-4-week elective experience. They will be involved in outpatient clinic, inpatient rounds, evaluation of infusion patients and multi-disciplinary clinics as scheduling permits. Students will participate in weekly educational meetings. Students will be expected to see patients independently (with appropriate supervision) and write clinic notes.

Target Students: This elective is designed for third- or fourth-year medical students interested in gaining history taking and musculoskeletal exam skills and are interested in pediatrics in general.

Course Learning Objectives: 

By the end of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Practice history taking for a new pediatric patient with musculoskeletal complaint.
2. Demonstrate pediatric musculoskeletal exam.
3. Discuss differential diagnosis for a pediatric patient with rheumatologic concern.