Rheumatology Fellowship Work in Ethiopia Reveals Gaps in Practical Management of Rheumatic Diseases

During consults in the wards, we saw ANCA-associated vasculitides and other SLE complications. Our experiences confirmed the need for rheumatology care in Ethiopia.

During our brief one-month stay, we were able to inspire a couple of residents to consider fellowship in rheumatology through the help of the International League of Associations for Rheumatology. Such efforts need to be reinforced in order to create a sustainable supply of rheumatology professionals to meet the rheuma­tologic needs of Ethiopian patients. However, it is also important to address the lack of supplies to do rheumatologic procedures.

Headed Home Again

My month in Ethiopia challenged me to manage rheumatic diseases in a low-resource setting while delivering cost-effective care. I learned to deliver patient care with minimal labs or other resources, a lesson that is invaluable while I practice in this era when physicians are challenged to deliver cost-effective quality care.

We were well received at Black Lion Hospital and received excellent feedback. I truly believe my colleagues and patients at Black Lion Hospital taught me more than I taught them. Ethiopian people, my patients, were kind and generous, and allowed me to learn from them—not just how to be a doctor but also how to be a human being. We hope to eventually establish a rheumatology fellowship at Black Lion Hospital and continue to inspire future doctors to pursue rheumatology.

I boarded my return flight knowing how lucky I was to have this experience in Ethiopia; it was nothing short of remarkable and could not have been possible without my colleagues and patients at Black Lion.

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Mary Abraham, MD, MBA, is a second-year rheumatology fellow at Emory University, Atlanta.

Frehyiwot Ayele, MD, is assistant professor of rheumatology at Emory University, Atlanta.