In the Rheumatology Fellowship Program, faculty teaching in the clinic and on the consult team is supplemented by a complete program of conferences. Our formal two-year curriculum covers fundamental clinical and basic sciences knowledge in rheumatology. After 2 months of core curriculum in July and August, each month of didactics has a theme that helps to cover the vast array of rheumatic diseases over the course of a two year fellowship.
Conferences and Didactics
Regular conferences include:
- Arthritis rounds
- Research conference
- Journal club
- Practice-based learning and improvement conference
- Radiology and pathology conferences
- Ultrasound conference and clinic
- Interesting cases
Our traditional conferences are supplemented with multi-disciplinary conferences, guest lecturers (both rheumatologist and other specialties), regional and national conferences. Some highlights include:
- Combined Nephrology/Rheumatology conference
- Combined Pulmonary/Dermatology/Rheumatology conference
- Carolina Fellow Collaborative
- Cadaver lab experiences
Research Opportunities
Research is an important aspect of your training here at WFBH Rheumatology. Although we know that most rheumatology fellows are not going to go into a career in research, the process of learning how to develop and execute research projects is critical to being able to interpret clinical trials and studies. A successful rheumatology practice requires consistent evaluation of the new literature to best treat our patients.
Our faculty have varied research interests from chronic pain to vasculitis to medical education. Given the diversity of faculty, fellow projects can be tailored to the individual fellow’s interests.
Below are some recent publications and posters by faculty and fellows:
Rheumatology Research Initiatives and Highlights
- Association of nociceptive responsivity with clinical pain and the moderating effect of depression
- Combining cognitive-behavioral therapy and milnacipran for fibromyalgia
- Research to encourage exercise for fibromyalgia: use of motivational interviewing, outcomes from a randomized controlled trial
- Effects of moderate to vigorous physical activity on long-term clinical outcomes and pain severity in fibromyalgia