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Rheumatology/Orthopaedics (PEDS 442)

Introduction

The Division of Rheumatology in the Department of Pediatrics provides evaluation and management of childhood arthritis and other complex rheumatic diseases affecting joints, muscles, bones and organ. The faculty in the division have expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of these and other autoimmune disorders.

The Department of Orthopaedics provides evaluation and management of musculoskeletal injuries and diseases affecting both adults and children. The pediatric orthopaedic service within the department treats full gamut of congenital, developmental and traumatic disorders of the musculoskeletal system in children with an evidence-based approach that focuses on the well-being, comfort and happiness of the child and the entire family.

For this elective, the administrative contact(s) below will provide a rotation schedule and a list of specific objectives and criteria for evaluation. Individual goals may vary depending on a student’s current stage of training and future plans. However, during the month on elective, it is suggested that they try to accomplish the list of objectives at a minimum.

Course Directors

Laura Cannon, MD/ laura_cannon@med.unc.edu
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Division of Pediatric Rheumatology

Vinay Narotam, MD/ vinay_narotam@med.unc.edu
Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics
Department of Pediatric Orthopaedics and Orthopaedic Surgery

Administrative Contacts

Jessi Stark/ jtstark@email.unc.edu  
Division Administrator
Division of Pediatric Rheumatology

Jessica Faucette/ jessil@email.unc.edu
Administrative Specialist
Division of Pediatric Rheumatology

About the Rotation

Students will participate in outpatient clinics, inpatient consults, case conferences and disease-specific lectures provided by the faculty. Clinics are held in the Children’s Specialty Clinic on the ground floor of the Children’s Hospital,, the Children’s Specialty Services at Raleigh on Blue Ridge Rd and the UNC Orthopaedics clinic on the second floor of the Ambulatory Care Center. Time and locations will be included on the rotation schedule.

Students are expected to contact the attending on-call provider when scheduled for inpatient consults to receive instructions and/or coordinate any pending or ongoing consults. They may be asked to review the patient’s medical record, perform a history and physical exam, review literature and discuss diagnostic possibilities as well as treatment plans. The call schedule can be found in Webxchange.

As scheduling allows, students will be expected to participate in Rheumatology case conference which is typically held on Monday afternoons from 1:30p – 3:30p and TMJ conference which is held on the first Wednesday of the month from 10:30a – 11:30a. Faculty may also schedule individual, disease-specific lectures for students, either in person or through video conferencing.

Objectives and Criteria for Evaluation

Students will be expected to participate in the clinical management of patients with pediatric rheumatologic diseases and orthopaedic diseases under the direct supervision of a Pediatric Rheumatology or Orthopaedic attending. Specific objectives for the elective include:

  • Interview patients and take accurate and complete patient histories.
  • Perform and report a complete musculoskeletal examination from rheumatologic and orthopaedic perspectives.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of normal and abnormal anatomy as it relates to the examination of a particular body area.
  • Become familiar with indications for and the basic interpretation of common rheumatology diagnostic tests.
  • Become familiar with the recognition, diagnosis and basic management of common pediatric rheumatologic disease.
  • Obtain and report a basic patient history for common outpatient pediatric conditions and injuries.
  • Develop a differential diagnosis for common orthopaedic conditions and to demonstrate an understanding of the appropriate timing and use of common diagnostic testing modalities to assist with determining a definitive diagnosis.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate treatment for common orthopaedic conditions and injuries.