The First Year of Fellowship

Outpatient Clinic

Fellows evaluate and follow a variety of new patients while developing a patient panel they will follow during the second and third years. For each patient the fellow has an hour to evaluate the new history, physical exam, laboratory studies and develop an assessment and plan. A full 30 minutes is scheduled to discuss the case re-evaluate the patient, formulate a plan with the attending physician and the family. Teaching is a priority and feedback immediate. Outpatient rotations are arranged in Dermatology, Skeletal Dysplasia, Orthopedics, and Adult Rheumatology Clinics.

Inpatient Service

During 6-8 months the fellow conducts inpatient rounds, and consultations, teaches residents, and ensures all patient care plans are carried out. Telephone consultations are performed for primary care physicians from all over the Northwest and Alaska.

Joint Injections

Fellows perform between 2 and 10 joint injections per month in clinic and in the outpatient procedure center while the patients are under general anesthesia.

Education and Research

Two mornings each week are dedicated to education. Fellows attend Rheumatology Grand Rounds, Journal Club, and Fellows Lectures at the University of Washington as well as multi-disciplinary didactic sessions at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Weekly Rheumatology Team Meetings and Morbidity/Mortality conferences are held during which the fellows present patient histories for discussion. Extra time is spent reading and meeting with potential research mentors. Fellows attend the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology each Fall.

Senior Fellows – Second and Third Years

Fellows solidify clinical and team leadership skills. Fellows develop research skills through conducting a project in either basic/translational laboratory investigation or clinical investigation. Each fellow develops a hypothesis-driven research project culminating in publication of a manuscript or grant proposal.

Outpatient Clinic

During one-half day continuity clinic each week the fellow monitors patient panel collected during year one.

Inpatient Service

Eight weeks “pretending”, in which fellows take major responsibility for patient care; with supervision and teaching of the residents and first year fellow, in consultation with the attending physician.

Education and Research

Basic/Translational Research Track:

The fellow identifies a mentor and laboratory, and works during the first year to develop a research plan to be implemented in the second and third years. Laboratory research may be conducted at Seattle Children’s Research Institute, the Benaroya Research Institute http://www.benaroyaresearch.org/our-research/research-programs, the University of Washington http://depts.washington.edu/rheum/, or the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Institute http://www.fhcrc.org/research/diseases/autoimmune/.

Clinical Research Track:

If entering the clinical investigation pathway, the fellow will apply to the University of Washington School of Public Health Master’s in Science Program (Biostatistics and Epidemiology), or the Master’s degree in Public Health, http://depts.washington.edu/hserv/academics#MPH. A faculty advisor from the school of Public Health will be assigned upon entry to the program.