Brief Papers
Integration of capillary microscopy and dermoscopy into the rheumatology fellow curriculum
C. Hatzis1, D. Lerner2, S. Paget3, M. Cutolo4, V. Smith5, R. Spiera6, J. Gordon7
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, USA. chris.m.hatzis@gmail.com
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, USA.
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, USA.
- Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Italy.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, and Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, USA.
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, USA.
CER9622
2017 Vol.35, N°5
PI 0850, PF 0852
Brief Papers
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PMID: 28229821 [PubMed]
Received: 29/05/2016
Accepted : 28/11/2016
In Press: 10/02/2017
Published: 15/09/2017
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
This study evaluates a novel, three-part nailfold capillaroscopy training curriculum for adult and paediatric rheumatology fellows.
METHODS:
All rheumatology fellows training at an academic medical centre took part in the three-part nailfold capillaroscopy curriculum. Tests of fellows’ usage, interest, confidence, and ability in nailfold capillaroscopy were taken at multiple time-points throughout the curriculum.
RESULTS:
Fellows self-reported high levels of interest, increased confidence in delineating normal and abnormal nailfold capillaries (p=0.03) and increased usage of nailfold capillaroscopy (p=0.09). The ability of fellows to identify normal nailfold capillaries (p=0.03) and systemic sclerosis-specific nailfold capillary changes, such as neoangiogenesis (p<0.001), also increased.
CONCLUSIONS:
The curriculum was feasible and led to improved ability of learners to distinguish normal from abnormal and to recognise and describe systemic sclerosis-specific nailfold capillary changes. This curriculum also led to improved confidence in examining nailfold capillaries and increased usage of this skill in rheumatologic consultation.
