Rheumatology training in India compared to the United Kingdom

Background: Rheumatology is an emerging specialty in India, and there is a huge demand for trained rheumatologist to satiate the overwhelming musculoskeletal disease burden in India. Rheumatology training in the UK is structured and comprehensive. This study was aimed to explore the strengths and we...

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Main Authors: Parthajit Das, Arumugan Moorthy, Balebail Dharmanand
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2018-01-01
Series:Indian Journal of Rheumatology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.indianjrheumatol.com/article.asp?issn=0973-3698;year=2018;volume=13;issue=2;spage=113;epage=116;aulast=Das
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author Parthajit Das
Arumugan Moorthy
Balebail Dharmanand
author_facet Parthajit Das
Arumugan Moorthy
Balebail Dharmanand
author_sort Parthajit Das
collection DOAJ
description Background: Rheumatology is an emerging specialty in India, and there is a huge demand for trained rheumatologist to satiate the overwhelming musculoskeletal disease burden in India. Rheumatology training in the UK is structured and comprehensive. This study was aimed to explore the strengths and weaknesses in the rheumatology training in India as compared to the UK. Methods: This was an observational semiqualitative study. An online questionnaire was circulated electronically to rheumatology trainees across the UK and India. The questionnaire was designed to explore the curriculum content, training and research opportunities, training assessment methodologies, and employability in two countries. Results: A total of 77 respondents participated in this study, 52% (40/77) were from the UK and 48% (37/77) from India. We noted heterogeneity in the structure and delivery of training with multiple incongruous training curricula being prevalent in India. Institutional academic training supervision was comparable in both countries. UK trainees received comparatively more structured supervision for procedural skills. Indian trainees were proficient with laboratory-based rheumatological and immunological tests. Professional research and academic programs were incorporated in UK training. Mandatory training for generic skills was lacking in India. Specialty exit examination was mandatory in both countries. Employment opportunities were better perceived in the Indian subcontinent. Conclusions: In this study comparing rheumatology training between the UK and India,a lack of structured and coherent national curriculum in India was noted. Harmonisation of rheumatology training in India is essential to be at par with the well-established postgraduate rheumatology training curriculum in developed countries.
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spelling doaj-art-b10905a437ef46ba8633c66db8ba87f52025-02-03T11:42:56ZengSAGE PublishingIndian Journal of Rheumatology0973-36980973-37012018-01-0113211311610.4103/injr.injr_78_17Rheumatology training in India compared to the United KingdomParthajit DasArumugan MoorthyBalebail DharmanandBackground: Rheumatology is an emerging specialty in India, and there is a huge demand for trained rheumatologist to satiate the overwhelming musculoskeletal disease burden in India. Rheumatology training in the UK is structured and comprehensive. This study was aimed to explore the strengths and weaknesses in the rheumatology training in India as compared to the UK. Methods: This was an observational semiqualitative study. An online questionnaire was circulated electronically to rheumatology trainees across the UK and India. The questionnaire was designed to explore the curriculum content, training and research opportunities, training assessment methodologies, and employability in two countries. Results: A total of 77 respondents participated in this study, 52% (40/77) were from the UK and 48% (37/77) from India. We noted heterogeneity in the structure and delivery of training with multiple incongruous training curricula being prevalent in India. Institutional academic training supervision was comparable in both countries. UK trainees received comparatively more structured supervision for procedural skills. Indian trainees were proficient with laboratory-based rheumatological and immunological tests. Professional research and academic programs were incorporated in UK training. Mandatory training for generic skills was lacking in India. Specialty exit examination was mandatory in both countries. Employment opportunities were better perceived in the Indian subcontinent. Conclusions: In this study comparing rheumatology training between the UK and India,a lack of structured and coherent national curriculum in India was noted. Harmonisation of rheumatology training in India is essential to be at par with the well-established postgraduate rheumatology training curriculum in developed countries.http://www.indianjrheumatol.com/article.asp?issn=0973-3698;year=2018;volume=13;issue=2;spage=113;epage=116;aulast=DasCurriculumeducationrheumatologytrainingthe United Kingdom
spellingShingle Parthajit Das
Arumugan Moorthy
Balebail Dharmanand
Rheumatology training in India compared to the United Kingdom
Indian Journal of Rheumatology
Curriculum
education
rheumatology
training
the United Kingdom
title Rheumatology training in India compared to the United Kingdom
title_full Rheumatology training in India compared to the United Kingdom
title_fullStr Rheumatology training in India compared to the United Kingdom
title_full_unstemmed Rheumatology training in India compared to the United Kingdom
title_short Rheumatology training in India compared to the United Kingdom
title_sort rheumatology training in india compared to the united kingdom
topic Curriculum
education
rheumatology
training
the United Kingdom
url http://www.indianjrheumatol.com/article.asp?issn=0973-3698;year=2018;volume=13;issue=2;spage=113;epage=116;aulast=Das
work_keys_str_mv AT parthajitdas rheumatologytraininginindiacomparedtotheunitedkingdom
AT arumuganmoorthy rheumatologytraininginindiacomparedtotheunitedkingdom
AT balebaildharmanand rheumatologytraininginindiacomparedtotheunitedkingdom