Alfred Cividino1, Volodko Bakowsky2, Susan Barr2, Louis Bessette2, Elizabeth Hazel2, Nader Khalidi2, Janet Pope2, David Robinson2, Kam Shojania2, Elaine Yacyshyn2, Lynne Lohfeld2, Diane Crawshaw2. 1. From the Department of Rheumatology, and Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton; Departments of Medicine and Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Health Care, and Western University, London, Ontario; Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia; Department of Rheumatology, Health Sciences Centre, Calgary; Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta; Department of Rheumatology, Université Laval, Quebec City; Department of Rheumatology, Division of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba; Department of Rheumatology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.A. Cividino, MD, Department of Rheumatology, McMaster University; V. Bakowsky, MD, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre; S. Barr, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Health Sciences Centre; L. Bessette, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Université Laval; E. Hazel, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Division of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre; N. Khalidi, MD, Department of Rheumatology, McMaster University; J. Pope, MD, Departments of Medicine and Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Health Care and Western University; D. Robinson, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba; K. Shojania, MD, Department of Rheumatology, University of British Columbia; E. Yacyshyn, MD, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta; L. Lohfeld, PhD, Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University; D. Crawshaw, BS, Department of Rheumatology, McMaster University. cividino@mcmaster.ca. 2. From the Department of Rheumatology, and Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton; Departments of Medicine and Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Health Care, and Western University, London, Ontario; Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia; Department of Rheumatology, Health Sciences Centre, Calgary; Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta; Department of Rheumatology, Université Laval, Quebec City; Department of Rheumatology, Division of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba; Department of Rheumatology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.A. Cividino, MD, Department of Rheumatology, McMaster University; V. Bakowsky, MD, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre; S. Barr, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Health Sciences Centre; L. Bessette, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Université Laval; E. Hazel, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Division of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre; N. Khalidi, MD, Department of Rheumatology, McMaster University; J. Pope, MD, Departments of Medicine and Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Health Care and Western University; D. Robinson, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba; K. Shojania, MD, Department of Rheumatology, University of British Columbia; E. Yacyshyn, MD, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta; L. Lohfeld, PhD, Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University; D. Crawshaw, BS, Department of Rheumatology, McMaster University.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify what learners and professionals associated with rheumatology programs across Canada recommend as ways to attract future trainees. METHODS: Data from online surveys and individual interviews with participants from 9 rheumatology programs were analyzed using the thematic framework analysis to identify messages and methods to interest potential trainees in rheumatology. RESULTS: There were 103 participants (78 surveyed, 25 interviewed) who indicated that many practitioners were drawn to rheumatology because of the aspects of work life, and that educational events and hands-on experiences can interest students. Messages centered on working life, career opportunities, and the lifestyle of rheumatologists. Specific ways to increase awareness about rheumatology included information about practice type, intellectual and diagnostic challenges, diversity of diseases, and patient populations. Increased opportunity for early and continued exposure for both medical students and internal medicine residents was also important, as was highlighting job flexibility and availability and a good work-life balance. Although mentors were rarely mentioned, many participants indicated educational activities of role models. The relatively low pay scale of rheumatologists was rarely identified as a barrier to choosing a career in rheumatology. CONCLUSION: This is the first pan-Canadian initiative using local data to create a work plan for developing and evaluating tools to promote interest in rheumatology that could help increase the number of future practitioners.
OBJECTIVE: To identify what learners and professionals associated with rheumatology programs across Canada recommend as ways to attract future trainees. METHODS: Data from online surveys and individual interviews with participants from 9 rheumatology programs were analyzed using the thematic framework analysis to identify messages and methods to interest potential trainees in rheumatology. RESULTS: There were 103 participants (78 surveyed, 25 interviewed) who indicated that many practitioners were drawn to rheumatology because of the aspects of work life, and that educational events and hands-on experiences can interest students. Messages centered on working life, career opportunities, and the lifestyle of rheumatologists. Specific ways to increase awareness about rheumatology included information about practice type, intellectual and diagnostic challenges, diversity of diseases, and patient populations. Increased opportunity for early and continued exposure for both medical students and internal medicine residents was also important, as was highlighting job flexibility and availability and a good work-life balance. Although mentors were rarely mentioned, many participants indicated educational activities of role models. The relatively low pay scale of rheumatologists was rarely identified as a barrier to choosing a career in rheumatology. CONCLUSION: This is the first pan-Canadian initiative using local data to create a work plan for developing and evaluating tools to promote interest in rheumatology that could help increase the number of future practitioners.
Entities:
Keywords:
CANADA; HEALTH SERVICES NEEDS AND DEMAND; POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION; QUALITATIVE