5 Rheumatology Resources Every Internal Medicine Resident Should Know

When you’re an internal medicine resident, starting a rotation in a field you’re unfamiliar with can be stressful, and rheumatology is no exception. Many trainees have limited exposure to the rheumatology field during medical school, and seeing patients without a sense of direction can be challenging.

I still remember the first day of my rheumatology rotation: I read as much as I could about systemic lupus erythematous and rheumatoid arthritis on UpToDate, thinking this would give me a good foundation for my rheumatology rotation. As I’ve gained experience in treating patients with rheumatologic conditions, I’ve found more resources and strategies to support my learning.

When I began my residency, I asked my program’s rheumatology faculty and fellows about the field. I attended various national rheumatology meetings to gain effective strategies for learning about the many rheumatic conditions I could expect to encounter. Today, I am training on the dual pathways of rheumatology and medical education, and one of my areas of interest is how we residents can better learn about rheumatology.

During ACR Convergence 2024 in Washington, D.C., I discovered the many resources the ACR offers to support fellows and residents during their rheumatology training. I’m pleased to share them with you.

1. Rheum2Learn modules

These modules are excellent for learning the clinical aspects of rheumatology. The Rheum2Learn 2.0 series includes 13 modules containing cases, diagrams, tables, pictures, activities and questions that support an active learning process, which is key to retaining the concepts presented. The modules are focused at a resident level and include topics such as crystalline arthritis, systemic vasculitis, systemic lupus erythematous, rheumatoid arthritis and more. Every internal medicine resident should complete these modules to have a baseline knowledge of rheumatic diseases.

2. Rheum4Science modules

Similar to the Rheum2Learn modules, the 11 Rheum4Science modules focus on basic science and research, including innate immunity, neutrophils, toll-like receptors, B cell immunobiology, T cells and more. These modules help residents develop a deeper understanding of research designs, research analysis, the role of immunology, and the pathophysiology of rheumatic diseases.

3. Guidelines & Criteria mobile app

I have found this app invaluable. It allows users to access ACR guidelines and classification criteria, including the full manuscripts. The Tools section offers a criteria calculator that can be used with patients. Although the classification criteria are intended for research and are not diagnostic, I still consider the app helpful. It allows residents to get familiar with what to look for in each rheumatic disease, using the individual factors evaluated as part of the criteria and applying them to a patient’s history and physician exam. Download it from your favorite app store.