Postgraduate Diploma in Rheumatology

Module Aims
To give an overview of the current state of Rheumatology, critically examining the underpinning science, as well as the diagnosis, treatment and healthcare/organisational delivery of common rheumatic disorders.

Module Summary

• Introduction: epidemiology, genetics, pathophysiology and immunology of common rheumatic disorders
• Role of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) in rheumatology services – specialist nurses, physiotherapy, hand therapy, podiatry, orthotics, clinical psychology, social workers, therapists, dietetics
• Disease activity scores used in clinical practice for common rheumatic disorders
• Imaging in rheumatology – X-rays, US, MRI, CT, bone scans, PET, vascular imaging, capillaroscopy, thermal etc
• Drugs & therapeutics – common agents used, mode of actions
• Drugs & therapeutics – adverse effects, drug monitoring requirements

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the pathophysiological science of common rheumatology disorders.
2. Critically evaluate the contribution of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) services, disease activity assessments, diagnostic imaging and drugs and therapeutics used in rheumatology.

Module Aims
To develop a critical understanding and in-depth knowledge of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its associated disorders (polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and palindromic rheumatism).

Module Summary

• Immunology, genetics, clinical presentation and diagnostic criteria in RA
• Biochemistry, serology and imaging in RA
• Complementary therapy, self-management techniques, psychological care in RA
• Conventional and biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (cDMARDs & bDMARDs) in RA
• Complications of RA
• Palindromic rheumatism, polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)

Learning Outcomes

1. To critically evaluate the science, diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
2. To differentiate, diagnose and treat complex complications of rheumatoid arthritis and the associated conditions of polymyalgia rheumatica and palindromic rheumatism.

Module Aims
Develop a critical understanding and in-depth knowledge of the seronegative spectrum inflammatory disorders, crystal arthropathies and infection-associated arthritic disorders.

Module Summary

• Psoriatic arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis & non-radiographic spondyloarthropathies
• Reactive arthritis, enteropathic inflammatory arthritis
• Gout & other crystal arthropathies
• Septic arthritis
• Infective arthritis – HIV, hepatitis, viral arthritis, Lyme, TB etc.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an evidence-based critique of the science, diagnosis, treatment and complications of seronegative spondyloarthropathies and other inflammatory arthropathies.
2. Demonstrate an evidence-based critique of the science, diagnosis, treatment and complications of crystal arthropathies and infection-associated arthritic disorders.

Module Aims
Develop a critical understanding and in-depth knowledge of the wide range of connective tissue disorders (CTDs) seen in rheumatology.

Module Summary
Indicative content to include topics on a range of connective tissue disorders such as:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Sjogren's syndrome
• Raynaud's disease
• Antiphospholipid syndrome
• Vasculitis
• Scleroderma

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the presentations, immuno-patho-physiologies, diagnostic criteria and diagnostic investigations of CTD.
2. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of multi-system management, disease activity assessments, potential multi-system complications of CTDs.

Module Aims
Develop a critical understanding and in-depth knowledge of multi-system rheumatic disorders, common paediatric rheumatology disorders and paraneoplastic rheumatic conditions.

Module Summary

Indicative content to include topics outlined below and/or any other relevant current topics to fulfil the module aims and learning outcomes:

• Sarcoidosis
• Behçet's disease
• Myositis & anti-synthetase syndromes
• Adult-onset Still's disease, familial Mediterranean fever and other autoimmune systemic inflammatory disorders (Ig4-related disease, TRAPS, CAPS etc.)
• Common conditions in paediatric rheumatology e.g. juvenile arthritides, dermatomyositis, vasculitides (HSP, Kawasaki disease), SLE, fibromyalgia, hypermobility, scleroderma
• Paraneoplastic syndromes

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an evidence based critique of the science, diagnosis, treatment and complications of complex multi-system rheumatic disorders.
2. Demonstrate an ability to assess and manage common Paediatric rheumatological disorders.
3. Demonstrate an ability to assess and manage the relation of adult rheumatic disorders and cancers (paraneoplastic associations).

Module Aims
Develop a critical understanding and in-depth knowledge of a range of non-inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders.

Module Summary
Indicative content to include topics outlined below and/or any other relevant current topics to fulfil the module aims and learning outcomes:

• Soft tissue disorders – plantar fasciitis, bursitis, tendinopathies, carpal tunnel syndrome, spinal neurogenic disorders
• Osteoarthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Hypermobility syndromes
• Osteoporosis & metabolic bone disorders
• Metabolic and neurogenic disorders – haemachromatosis, diabetes, alkaptonuria, charcot's arthropathy

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically appraise the clinical assessment and diagnosis of common rheumatological non-inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders.
2. Critically appraise the current management strategies of common rheumatological non-inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders.