Specialty: Rheumatology

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MD2B Connect Physician ID # 265

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Where will the rotation take place: The outpatient US clinical experience will take place 20 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. 

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Hours: Monday - Thursday 9 AM to 5 PM

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Hours have been provided by the preceptor. Hours are subject to change at the preceptor’s discretion, but the minimum total hours will remain approximately the same.

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What you will do: This is an outpatient US clinical experience during which you will be under the supervision of a board certified rheumatologist. The physician holds hospital privileges in the Advocate Health Care and AMITA Health Systems. In the past, this attending was involved in the education of internal medicine residents from the University of Illinois.  

 

While training as a fellow, the preceptor was involved in numerous research studies, and had opportunities to present research at national and international meetings. This physician has considerable experience in evaluating and managing patients with SLE, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and osteoporosis and is also adept at performing joint procedures. The practice has an onsite x-ray machine, MRI, DEXA, and ultrasound. 

 

Among the goals of this clinical experience are learning how to:

 

• Develop differential diagnosis for common complaints in rheumatology using information gathered from the history, exam, lab data, and imaging studies

• Use the differential diagnosis to guide ordering of diagnostic tests

• Interpret common tests (e.g., antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor, synovial fluid analysis) while understanding the usefulness and limitations of the tests

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To maximize maximize learning during this experience, we recommend that you read the following:

 

UCSF Hospital Handbook: Rheumatology/Orthopedics

 

After a few days of observation, you will take on an increasing role in patient encounters and learn the following under the preceptor’s supervision:​

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·    Taking patient histories.

·    Performing physical exams under the physician's supervision.

·    Presenting patients.

·    Writing progress notes. 

·    Have opportunities to research the literature to answer clinical questions at the point of care.

·    Being involved in patient education.

·    Spending time with other healthcare professionals to understand their roles and responsibilities.

 

​Who should consider this rotation: International medical graduates (IMGs) and students seeking US clinical experience in Rheumatology.   ​

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How to obtain a letter of recommendation: The rotator should ask the preceptor for a LOR near the conclusion of the rotation. Dr. Desai has provided the physician with guidelines about best practices in letter writing that meet residency program requirements. In some cases, the preceptor may ask the rotator to write a letter of recommendation draft. 

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​During the rotation: Our team will be checking in periodically with you to ensure that you are having an optimal experience. We encourage you to contact us if you have any questions during the rotation.

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See Where Our Students Applying to Internal Medicine Have Received Interviews or Matched

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Read Dr. Desai's Interview with Dr. Roy Ziegelstein (Vice Dean for Education at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Former Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center) about How to Match Successfully in Internal Medicine