Description

Students are assigned to the Rheumatology Consultation Service in the hospital, where they make daily rounds. The service usually has a consultant, one rheumatology fellow and one to two internal medicine residents. Ideally, students work up one consultation a day. The initial consultation is done whenever possible by a student, who then follows the patient throughout his or her hospital stay. There is no evening call.

Students are expected to attend Saturday rounds with the consultation team. They are also expected to attend the weekday morning rheumatology conferences at 7:30 a.m. They may also participate in an online rheumatology curriculum.

In the afternoons, students may evaluate new consultations in the hospital or have the opportunity to participate in the procedure clinic. This consultation elective should provide students with exposure to a variety of rheumatologic problems.

Specific goals

1. Perform a rheumatologic evaluation, including history, a physical exam and a complete musculoskeletal examination
2. Formulate a differential diagnosis and request appropriate laboratory studies
3. Interpret the laboratory studies
4. Advise a course of treatment including medications, physical therapy or both depending on the nature of the problem
5. Become familiar with rheumatologic modalities, including the appropriate use, indications, pharmacology and potential side effects of joint aspirations and injections, anti-inflammatory agents, corticosteroids, and disease-modifying agents

Activity outline

Students attend daily hospital rounds from 8:15 a.m. to approximately noon daily, except Sunday. In the afternoon, students work up patients in the hospital or participate in the procedure clinic. Students are also required to attend the rheumatology conferences held weekdays at 7:30 a.m.

Method of evaluation

The consultants and rheumatology fellows who work with students complete evaluations.

Per Mayo Clinic institutional policy, faculty and residents/fellows will not complete any outside evaluations. You will be provided with an electronic performance evaluation via Mayo Clinic’s MedHub portal. A final summative evaluation will be sent to you and your school official upon completion of your clerkship.