Our patient base is very conducive to broad exposures in both basic and complex rheumatologic diseases. Our fellows are prepared to care for all aspects of rheumatologic disease evaluation and management of outpatient and inpatient cases. By working closely with Allergy and Immunology, our fellows are exposed to patients with common and rare allergic and other immune mediated conditions. This assures that they receive remarkable training in a variable range of autoimmune and rheumatologic disorders.

Our program guides training so graduates will be very familiar with the principles and practice of rheumatologic diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, and musculoskeletal ultrasound and procedure techniques.  Our fellows are well-trained by the time they graduate with a board pass rate of 100 percent for the consecutive rolling five years.

Fellows take call on a two-week basis with flexibility for weekend coverage to be supported by other fellows. There is also a faculty member on call 24 hours a day who supervises and supports the fellow and will see all inpatient consults with the fellow.

Evaluations are performed for every rotation and on a face-to-face bi-annual basis.

Outpatient Clinics

The division operates nine half-day clinics each week where patients with a variety of rheumatologic diseases are seen with additional subspecialty clinics in rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, scleroderma, and Lupus, as well as musculoskeletal ultrasound and procedure clinic. The fellows' outpatient clinic experience on average includes six half-days per week when not on hospital consult service, and fewer clinics while on the VA rotation

Inpatient Consultation Service

One fellow supervised by one faculty along with rotating residents and medical students manage the inpatient consultative service at the University of Kansas Hospital. The inpatient consult service covers patients with a broad spectrum of rheumatologic diseases including very complex cases. The weekend or holiday calls are shared by fellows but a faculty remains on call 24 hours a day who will see all patients with the fellow and is available to support the fellow and the service.

On average, fellows rotate through the hospital consult service three months per year.

Research Opportunities

The basic and translation research lab provides research and academic opportunities. The Clinical Trials Unit of the division, supported by skilled study coordinators, provides additional research experience and exposure to cutting edge drug trials.  Scholarly activity and Practice-Based Learning and Improvement projects are required.  These may be satisfied with clinical and laboratory-based projects.  A formal presentation at a regional or national meeting is expected.

Conferences

Conferences are held weekly on Wednesday morning from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m., including Board Review.

Weekly

• Internal Medicine Grand Rounds is held Wednesdays at noon.
• Wednesday 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.: Journal Club, Case, Core Lectures
• Wednesday 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.: Board Review (Rheumatology Fellows and Faculty)

National Meetings/Conferences

• All fellows are encouraged to attend one national meeting per year and are able to attend others when time permits. The department currently funds $1,500 per year per fellow for educational meetings.