P032 Starting work as a rheumatology doctor: how to do it well

Abstract

Abstract Background/Aims Starting work in a specialty for the first time can be extremely challenging. This has implications for patient care, junior and supervising doctor enjoyment and future career choices. A focus group was established to explore what resources junior doctors would want when starting Rheumatology. This determined that a blended learning package with podcasts, webinars and eLearning with topics including history and examination skills, understanding investigations and prescribing disease modifying drugs (DMARDs) would be ideal. Furthermore, it would be well placed to include resources to help junior doctors consider a career in Rheumatology. Methods The focus group results were used to design online ‘how to’ resources guiding doctors through tasks that they might be expected to do as a Rheumatology doctor. These were created by teams of junior doctors alongside Consultant Rheumatologists with creative support from the British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) education team. Content was pitched at an introductory level to help doctors when they first start working in Rheumatology. The most appropriate delivery modalities were selected for each topic e.g. a podcast for ‘how to talk to patients about DMARDs’ and eLearning including a video for ‘how to do disease activity scoring’. The resources are hosted on the BSR eLearning site and are free for anyone to use (no membership required) https://www.rheumatology.org.uk click eLearning. BSR communications and twitter were used to advertise the launch of the ‘how to’ series prior to junior doctor rotations in August. Results Since the ‘how to’ eLearning site was launched there have been 258 users. All content has been accessed. To date the most popular topics have been ‘how to’ - Interpret antibodies-Use DMARDs safely-Interpret x-rays-Score disease activity Feedback has been extremely positive with an overall satisfaction of 4/5. An example of written feedback from a user “ … it was a good overview, I would recommend to new IMT doctors starting in departments, or those considering Rheumatology as a career, I like how you have incorporated different modalities for learning e.g. mixture of lectures, podcasts, reading.” Conclusion The response to the resources created so far have been extremely positive. 258 users is a good start but increasing awareness of the resources should allow many more doctors to benefit from these resources. The authors plan to develop and improve content and welcome any feedback or suggestions for future topics. Disclosure R. Benson: None. E. Appleby: None. C. Gledhill-Flynn: None. K. Maxey: Other; Kate is a member of the Education team at the British Society for Rheumatology. D. Southam: Other; Daisy is employed by the British Society for Rheumatology as Head of Education. J. Little: None. P.A. Watson: Other; I am employed by the British Society for Rheumatology as eLernaing Editor.