Paediatric Rheumatology Trainee Forum

What is Paediatric Rheumatology?

The care of children with rheumatic diseases involves a broad spectrum of conditions including inflammatory arthritis, vasculitis, and hypermobility syndromes. Rheumatologists working within multidisciplinary teams deliver holistic care for children with chronic illnesses and provide transitional care for adolescents. This is an exciting specialty with rapid advances in research and development of new treatments translating into improving outcomes for children with rheumatic diseases.  ‘A day in the life of a paediatric rheumatology trainee’ link can be found here:  A day in the life of a paediatric rheumatology trainee.pdf  

We are keen to advise and support all junior doctors hoping to involve Paediatric Rheumatology in their UK training, including:

• Paediatric trainees hoping to train on the national GRID scheme to work as tertiary  specialists in Paediatric Rheumatology 

• Paediatric trainees aiming to train to work as General Paediatricians with an interest in Paediatric Rheumatology

• Adult Rheumatology trainees with an interest in adolescent and transitional care 

Paediatric Rheumatology Trainee Representatives:

There are currently 3 Trainee Representatives within Paediatric Rheumatology who all act as a voice for trainees but within different roles:

My role is being a first point of call for trainees interested in joining our sub-speciality as GRID trainees or as paediatricians with an interest,providing advice on pathways of training and further sources of information within BSPAR and CSAC. I help to maintain the BSPAR website.  I will ensure trainees’ views are heard within the BSPAR community and that relevant information is cascaded to trainees.

As the trainee representative on the RCPCH College Specialist Advisory Committee (CSAC), I ensure that all trainees are kept informed about developments in our training. I feedback trainee views to CSAC, particularly in regard to the evolution of our training curriculum and assessments. I also represent paediatric rheumatology trainees within the RCPCH on generic training issues that affect all sub specialities. 

My role is to represent the opinions of trainees interested in paediatric rheumatology within the Paed Rheum CSG and to facilitate trainee involvement in research. For more information on the CSG and research within Paediatric Rheumatology please see section below (Research).  My specific roles within the CSG:  Encourage trainee involvement in CSG initiatives including involvement on TSG (topic specific groups)

• Engaging proactively with all stakeholders, and especially trainees

• Disseminating regularly and effectively information to trainees of TSG & CSG  activities

• Contributing to answering the CSG’s principle challenge: “What are the key clinical research priorities that will change clinical practice in Paediatric Rheumatology?”

• Supporting development of a portfolio of clinical trials / studies to achieve this

Training in Paediatric Rheumatology

Following RCPCH Level 1 & 2 training in general paediatrics (ST1-4), trainees have the opportunity to sub-specialise in a specific area.

Tertiary Specialist

The National Training Number Grid is a scheme that allows trainees at Level 3 (ST6-8) to have the opportunity to sub-specialise as a tertiary specialist in paediatric rheumatology. This includes 2-3 years of tertiary specialist training and requires rotation between 2 tertiary centre. Click on the link for further information of how to apply and the Level 3 competency framework .

General Paediatrician with an interest

For trainees wishing to train in general paediatrics with an interest in rheumatology (e.g working as a consultant paediatrician in a district general hospital within a paediatric rheumatology clinical network). 12 months experience within tertiary specialist unit is required.  The competency framework can be found on this link or by searching under ‘special study modules’ on the RCPCH website. SPIN modules will become available as a way of trainees documenting an interest in a specialty.  These are not GMC recognised training programmes (so not signed off as having done a SPIN module) – but helps trainees to prove competencies.

Answers to following ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ can be found here:  FAQ Nov 2011.pdf

Letter to educational supervisors and trainees re Grid process Feb 2011.pdf  

Adolescent Rheumatology for Adult Rheumatology Trainees

For trainees in adult rheumatology who want to develop an interest in adolescent rheumatology, the following link is a curriculum that has been developed on behalf of the Royal College of Physicians in conjunction with BSPAR.

http://www.jrcptb.org.uk/specialties/ST3-SpR/Documents/Curriculum%20for%20Specialist%20Interest%20in%20Adolescent%20Rheumatology.pdf

How can I find out more about including Paediatric Rheumatology in my training?

• Please speak to Consultants/ trainees involved in your local service.

• Contact Chair of CSAC, Prof Helen Foster or Training Advisors, Dr Ramanan or Dr Liza McCann

• Contact Trainee Representatives (details above) who can provide advice.You will be added to a mailing list (if you wish) and be updated about forthcoming educational events and relevant training issues. 

• Complete the “Expression of interest" form below and submit to CSAC Chair: Expression interest Paediatric Rheumatology.doc

• Attend the annual BSPAR Trainees meeting which is held each year at a different venue in the UK (it is aimed at both current trainees and those with potential interest in Paediatric Rheumatology).

The following meetings also recommended to you

British Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology Annual meeting

-held yearly in September/October.

Annual BSPAR research day

-open to all trainees not just those currently active in research and is usually free to attend.

Paediatric Rheumatology European Society Meeting

-see website for update on the forthcoming meeting including Young Investigators Meeting (free for trainees under 35 and a fantastic way to meet with International Trainees)

American College Rheumatology Meeting

-held yearly usually in October)

British Society for Rheumatology Annual Meeting

Royal College Paediatrics and Child HealthAnnual Meeting

There are numerous opportunities to obtain formal research and specialist training including (other MSc programme may be available locally in your own Deanery):

• MSc in Rheumatology,Manchester University

• MSc in Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford

• MSc in Rheumatology, King's College London

• MSc in Paediatrics and Child Health, UCL, London

Paediatric rheumatology course, GreatOrmond Street Hospital, (run annually)

There are often Regional study days available with Paediatric Rheumatology content (liaise with your local Paediatric Rheumatology Service). 

Research

Why get involved in research?

One of the attractions of a career in Paediatric Rheumatology is that the speciality is research pro-active and is leading the way in innovative collaborative working both at a national and international level. By becoming involved in research as a trainee, you have the chance to have your voice and opinions heard and improve the future care of your patients. The CSG is keen to engage you all in helping to set the research agenda. Becoming involved in research as a trainee will provide you with the skills to continue to develop your research interests as a consultant. As more consultants and regional centres become research active this increases the opportunity for our patients to become involved in research and potentially improve their care and the care of future patients.

What is the MCRN/ARUK Paediatric Rheumatology CSG?

This group is comprised of multi-disciplinary members e.g. clinicians, basic scientists, physiotherapists, consumers, statisticians, pharmacists. Our aim is to facilitate the very best paediatric research by establishing collaborative research networks across the UK. The group is keen to engage the opinion of the wider paediatric rheumatology community including trainees, nurses and consumers to help answer the following question: What are the key clinical research priorities that will change clinical practice in paediatric rheumatology. For more details web-link below:

http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/research/clinical-study-groups-and-research-strategies/paediatric-rheumatology.aspx

Ways to get involved in research:

• RCPCH - Academic Training
• Consider applying for Arthritis Research UK grant or other formal research training such as a PhD, MD, MPhil
• Become involved in trainee led multi-centre initiatives e.g. BSPAR ARMA Standards of Care JIA multi-centre audit
• Join a Topic-Specific Group (all grid trainees are strongly encouraged to become an active member of a TSG and non-grid trainees are also welcome. To become a member email the lead for that specific TSG (via weblink above to ARUK website) and they will inform you of the next teleconference dates.
• ‘Shadow a PI’ – speak to Principle Investigators at your centre and ask if you can shadow them in their research work (could also shadow research nurses).
• Attend BSPAR research days
• Submit abstracts to various meetings
• Please email Clare Pain CSG Trainee Rep (clarepain@doctors.org.uk) with ideas and also any comments you have about trainee involvement in research.

Finally …

If you have any suggestions for material for this Trainee Forum area of the BSPAR website (especially if you would like to contribute something!) or if you have any other queries please contact Dr Mary Cruikshank(CSAC trainee representative) or Dr Valentina Leone (BSPAR trainee representative) or Dr Clare Pain(CSG trainee representative).

BSPAR is a Charitable Company registered in England and Wales. Company number 06978211.
Registered office: 105, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Herts, AL1 3EJ.