Preceptor: Michael Toprover, MD
Contact: Sarina Richards, Sarina.Richards@NYULangone.org
Telephone: 646-501-4030

Prerequisites: None

Clinical sites

Tisch/Kimmel Hospital, Bellevue Hospital, VA Hosptial, Hospital for Joint Diseases

Description

This is a 2-week elective that seeks to introduce students to the field of Rheumatology. Students will be expected to gain a broad understanding of the core principles, foundational knowledge, and essential skills relevant to the specialty through encounters with a diverse range of cases reflective of this specialty. Students will gain this experience through evaluating and treating patients with connective tissue diseases (e.g., vasculitis, system lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis). A major focus of the Division of Rheumatology is on immunology and pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases. There is extensive experience with a wide variety of clinical conditions since the division is responsible for inpatient and outpatient care at Bellevue Hospital, the Hospital for Joint Diseases, the New York VA Hospital, and Tisch Hospital. There are daily educational rounds and conferences. Opportunities for participation in clinical studies are available.

Objectives of the Elective

By the end of this elective, through daily contact with patients and didactics, you will:

1. Gain a deeper understanding of the field of rheumatology, building on your pre-clerkship and clerkship experiences, through a broad exposure to connective tissue diseases
2. Expand your skills in inpatient and outpatient workup and management of patients with connective tissue diseases that you may encounter throughout your career, regardless of specialty
3. Learn about specialty-specific history and physical exams as well as the indications for, and complications of specialty-specific procedures
4. Gain knowledge regarding treatment modalities used to treat connective tissue diseases
5. Gain insight into the interdisciplinary nature of this specialty and how our clinicians interact with other medical disciplines to provide comprehensive patient care

Key Responsibilities of the student while on Elective

By enrolling in this elective, you have agreed to:

1. Participate in at least 35 contact hours of education each week
2. Provide communication of any excused absences to the Office of Student Affairs (excused absence form) and to the elective coordinator, in a timely fashion
3. Arrive in a timely fashion to all locations to which you are assigned
4. Participate in daily morning rounds and patient care with residents and attendings
5. Be an active participant in the care of patients being followed by the team, as dictated by the resident/attending
6. Attend all didactics provided for trainees

Key Responsibilities of the preceptor/residents/faculty while you are on Elective

By accepting your enrollment in this elective, the department has agreed to:

1. Clearly communicate their expectations of you
2. Maintain a supportive clinical learning environment
3. Ensure that you have access to a broad case mix and clinical experience
4. Provide the education necessary for you to gain an understanding of the patients and pathology reflective of this specialty
5. Provide feedback on your clinical skills

Method of evaluation

Evaluation of students will be made by the assigned preceptor.

Scheduling information

Duration: 2 Weeks

Months Offered: All year except July

Student point of contact before start of elective: Rheumatology Chief Fellow

On day 1, students report to: To reach the Chief Fellow, or for more information, contact Ms. Sarina Richards at 646-501-4030

Students per elective block: 1