Rheumatology | East of England

Welcome to the biggest training rotation for Rheumatologists in the UK!

Rheumatology is a medical specialty concerning inflammatory and autoimmune causes of musculoskeletal disease, including bone disease. Pain assessment, holistic management and working in a multidisciplinary team are essential. It is an outpatient-based specialty with several procedural skills required.

The rotation is comprised of 3 separate regions with a single teaching hospital hub – Southwest (Cambridge), North (Norwich) and East (Basildon). Trainees are therefore geographically co-located and meet regularly at training days. Changes to internal rotations are possible and should be discussed with one of the two co-TPDs (Dr Nick Shenker, Cambridge and Dr Anupama Nandagudi, Basildon). 100% (8/8) of rotation requests have been accommodated in the past 2 years.

“I just wanted to thank you both for everything over the last year or so. I’ve absolutely loved my time in EoE, and the two of you have been so endlessly supportive throughout.”

Currently, there are 30 trainees placed into 26 posts. In the past 3 years:

100% of trainees achieve CCT in Rheumatology and GIM.
We strongly promote Less-Than-Full-Time training and Dr Rita Abdulkadir would be happy to discuss this further. Job-Sharing can be triggered at 60% working.
95% of trainees achieve outcome 1 in their ARCP.
An MSK ultrasound training course is available to trainees who wish to pursue this.
Community Rheumatology training is available.
5/31 trainees are currently undertaking higher degrees (Cambridge, Oxford, Norwich)
EARS – our welcoming and informative 3-monthly meeting with Consultants and AHPs in the East of England Region
ERA – monthly Eastern Rheumatology Association meeting with Consultants and AHPs in the Eastern Region
ENRAD – UK leading network for Autoimmune Connective Tissue disease
ERBON – Rare Bone Network, UK leading Bone Network
CHEERS – Our Paediatric Rheumatology East of England Regional Society
There is an Academic Forum to promote Academic Rheumatology across the Region
Mentorship is actively promoted across the Region with a formal programme
Out of Programme (OOP) experience towards a higher Teaching qualification has also occurred
High satisfaction from the Trainees with active participation in US Training Panel, Academic Forum, Deanery and British Society for Rheumatology Representatives.
Rheumatology attracts basic science immunologists and cell biologists interested in (chronic) inflammation research. Inflammation and bone research scientists wishing to train in a clinical specialty might reasonably choose to train clinically in Rheumatology within the National Clinician Scientist Training Scheme.

Essential Qualifications for Entry

Useful Links

Consultant Testimony - Muhammad Nisar

Highlights of Research

Below are some highlights of research projects being undertaken or recently completed by our trainees;

Max Yates, Academic Rheumatology trainee and clinical lecturer

PhD in 'Epidemiology of polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis' completed at University of East Anglia Jan 2018.

''My PhD investigated risk factors for onset and progression amongst individuals diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA)''

Jobie Evans, ST7 Rheumatology Trainee, currently out of programme for research

Currently undertaking MD Research Project in 'The effectiveness of small bowel MRI imaging as a screening tool for the presence of axial spondyloarthritis.' Undertaken at Addenbrookes Hospital on behalf of Cambridge University.

''My MD project is assessing the effectiveness of looking for incidental sacro-iliitis on MRI small bowel imaging to detect undiagnosed axial spondyloaarthritis. My aim is to increase the diagnostic rate and thereby referral rate from Gastro. There is good evidence long term structural damage and functional impairment can be prevented for early intervention in this patient group. However there is often a long time between first presentation to health care professional and a diagnosis being made, often over 5 years. I hope help improve the early referral of these patients from gastroenterology to rheumatology.''

Jagtar Nijjar, Academic Trainee and National Institute of Health Research Clinical Lecturer

Creating a national registry of CRMO (Chronic Relapsing Multifocal Osteomyelitis) and SAPHO (Synovitis Acne Pustulosis Hyperostosis and Osteiitis) as part Clincal Lecturer Role.

''Following a chance meeting with a mother of a teenage girl suffering from CRMO I wanted to do more to help patients with these two rare, possibly overlapping conditions. As these condition are so rare, in order to do this we need a formal register of patients with these conditions. This will help us identify potential causative factors and enable us to easily recruit patients to clinical trials to gather robust evidence for the most effective treatments.''

For further details see; http://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/health/cambridge-bioresource-needs-your-help-to-cure-rare-diseases-1-5647693

ARCP Decision Aids