002 Paediatric rheumatology training: a naive subject to medical trainees in Tanzania

Abstract

Abstract Background Pediatric rheumatic disorders are common and result in significant impairment in the quality of life, morbidity and mortality. Tanzania with a population of over 60 million out which children and youth (0–17 years) comprise of > 50% has only one paediatric rheumatologist. Given the low number of trained experts in this sub specialty, it is expected training of medical students and residents will provide adequate training in paediatric rheumatology. This survey was aimed at determining paediatric rheumatology training among medical students and residents in Tanzania. Methods This was a survey conducted among senior medical undergraduate students who had completed paediatric rotations and final year residents from medical schools in Tanzania. Survey questionnaire was administered through interview to final year medical students and final year paediatric resident’s medical schools, the questions asked included duration of rotation in paediatric for undergraduate students and duration of paediatric residency programs. Results There are 11 universities in Tanzania that offer undergraduate (UG) medical degree, and 5 of them offer residency programs for pediatrics and child health. The duration for undergraduate rotation in pediatrics varied among universities with the longest being 12 weeks and the shortest being 7 weeks. The duration for paediatric residency programs is 3 years in all the universities with an exception of one university which the program for 4 years. There were only two universities that reported to train pediatric rheumatology to undergraduate students in the country, and the topics taught to both of the universities were juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Five universities that provide undergraduate training were excluded due to absence of final year UG students. Final year residents in three out of five universities which offer paediatric residency programs reported to have trained in pediatric rheumatology. One university did not have any class session on pediatric rheumatology, and the other was excluded since there were no final year residents. Common paediatric rheumatology topics covered for residents in the three universities were juvenile idiopathic arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Only one of the three universities had an extra class on dermatomyositis. Conclusion and Recommendations Pediatric rheumatology is not adequately taught to university trainees at both undergraduates and paediatric residency levels. There is a need to put emphasis on exposing all trainees in pediatric to catall common pediatric rheumatology conditions because of the severe shortage of rheumatology trained practitioners in Tanzania.