Dozens of medical students and residents are now seriously considering a career in rheumatology, thanks to a special event hosted by the Rheumatology Research Foundation. During the 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in Boston, the Foundation hosted a special, daylong event called the Student and Resident Experience. The Experience is designed to help future doctors and health professionals navigate the Annual Meeting. It also helps them better understand the field and encourages them to pursue a career in rheumatology. Many of those in attendance say the Experience taught them much about the field and helped shape their future plans and goals for treating patients.
The Foundation developed the Student and Resident Experience event to help meet the growing demand for rheumatology services. According to a study on the rheumatology workforce, demand for rheumatology services is expected to increase 46% between 2005 and 2025. In that same time period, the number of practicing rheumatologists is only expected to go up 1.2%. More rheumatology professionals are needed not only to help fill that gap, but also to replace rheumatologists as they retire.
According to a survey taken after the event, nearly 60% of attendees said they are quite interested in pursuing or are certain they will pursue a career in rheumatology.
Marci Macaraeg, a student at the University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson, was also able to attend the meeting and the Experience thanks to the Foundation’s scholarship program. Before going to Boston, she says she knew she wanted to go into rheumatology, which made her time at the meeting particularly enjoyable. “There were so many interesting lectures and so much research to hear about,” she says. “I felt like a kid in a candy store.”
Marci also knew before attending the meeting that she wants to practice integrative medicine, and she was able to learn more about it in Boston. “This meeting, which was made possible by the scholarship, gave me better insight into how successful rheumatology drugs have been in addition to how therapies like acupuncture have also been showing benefit.”
However, during the Experience, Marci started considering a new option for her career path. “I am now leaving myself open to further specialize in pediatric rheumatology,” she explains. “The research we learned about allowed me to see that the field is booming, and I am even more excited about this field.”
The Experience provided the attendees guidance on how they can one day use their knowledge to provide patients with the quality treatment they need. By engaging young minds and building interest in the field through the event, the Foundation is investing in the future of rheumatology.
Photo Contest
Many of the Student and Resident Experience attendees also connected on social media using #RheumRookie. They shared experiences and exciting moments throughout the meeting on Twitter and took part in a photo contest. Daniel Shelton (@DTShelt), a scholarship recipient, won Best Overall Experience Documentation by sharing numerous pictures of the meeting and his travels around Boston. Carol Bledsoe, who received the Foundation’s Medical Student Research Preceptorship, won best photo.
