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Contact:

Kim Harding
Ph: 813-974-2681
kharding@health.usf.edu

Rheumatic diseases are complex multi-system diseases. All subspecialties and general internists need to be familiar with the clinical aspects of these diseases. Musculoskeletal complaints, including arthritis, low back pain, sprains, and strains, are the most common reasons for patients to consult their physicians. Our clinics have an excellent balance of both common and rare musculoskeletal rheumatic diseases.

Objectives

Be able to obtain history and perform the physical examination appropriate for rheumatic disease patients.
Be able to order and interpret pertinent X-rays and laboratory studies.
Gain an understanding of the pathogenesis, differential diagnosis, and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions.

Methods

Students will see patients at the VA and USF Clinics Medical Clinics and on the consultative services of Tampa General Hospital, Tampa VA Hospital or H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center. Trainees will also participate in specialty conferences during their elective rotation. Upon completion of this elective, students should understand the principles of diagnosis and management of patients who have rheumatic diseases.

Evaluation

Students will work closely with the attending rheumatologist who will provide the assessmentRheumatology is a specialty in internal medicine devoted to the diagnosis and management of over 100 complex and interesting diseases, including musculoskeletal, and autoimmune processes. Physicians are frequently consulted for musculoskeletal complaints.  Exposure to the field of rheumatology will help the student to develop an approach to evaluate these complaints, and appreciate when a patient may have an underlying systemic rheumatic disease. Some of the diseases seen include; Scleroderma, Systemic Lupus, Inflammatory myopathies, Systemic Vasculitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic  Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Gout,Osteoporosis, and Osteoarthritis.

Objectives

By the end of the elective, the student is expected to be able to competently:

1. Perform a history, and musculoskeletal examination on patients presenting to the rheumatology clinic
2. Generate a differential diagnosis in the evaluation of patients presenting with common musculoskeletal complaints
3. Interpret relevant laboratory tests, and xrays 
4. List the indications for arthrocentesis in general and interpret synovial fluid analysis
5. Recognize common rheumatologic syndromes and the general principles of their management.

Evaluation

During this elective, the student will actively participate on the rheumatology service in the outpatient setting, and will work closely with the rheumatology faculty, and fellows. In addition, the student is expected to attend and participate in the weekly educational conference, which include journal club, case presentation, and radiology-rheumatology sessions. The student’s contribution in the educational activities will be used, in conjunction with the clinical performance, for the final evaluation.