Scleroderma Clinical Research Fellowship

Fellowship Title:

Scleroderma Clinical Research Fellowship

Division:

Rheumatology

Fellowship Type:

Clinical and Research

Supervisor:

Dr. Sindhu Johnson, Dr. Zareen Ahmad, Dr. Ron Laxer

Duration:

1-2 years

Application Open and Close Date:

Ongoing intake

Anticipated Start Date(s):

January, July every year

Number of position(s) per year:

1-2 depending on funding

Description:

The goal of the Scleroderma Clinical Research fellowship is to gain advanced expertise in both clinical and research skills in the scleroderma spectrum of disorders. The fellows attend core clinics with Drs. Sindhu Johnson and Zareen Ahmad at Mount Sinai Hospital (MSH) and Toronto Western Hospitals (TWH) longitudinally over 1 year. Fellows are expected to undertake a scholarly project and particpate in observational studies and/or clinical trials of novel therapeutic agents. Fellows critically appraise and present research articles under the supervision of Dr. Zareen Ahmad at the monthly Scleroderma Journal Club. Fellows particpate in the teaching of junior trainees and allied health professionals. Fellows partipate in knowledge translation activities and advocacy activities with scleroderma specific organizations.

The fellow attends Scleroderma clinic with Dr. Johnson (MSH, TWH), Scleroderma Clinic with Dr. Zareen Ahmad (MSH), Multidisciplinary Morphea Clinic with Dr. Zareen Ahmad (MSH), Pediatric Morphea Clinic with Dr. Ron Laxer (Hospital for Sick Children). Elective rotations may include Lupus Clinic, Vasculitis Clinic, Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinic, Metabolic Bone Disease Clinic and Pre-Clinical Autoimmunity Clinic. Fellows are expected to review the chart in advance of the patient encounter; order and follow-up on appropriate investigations; identify and manage medical issues; and search the literature when investigational or management options are not clear. Fellows are expected to work collaboratively with staff, allied health professionals and other specialists in the patient’s circle of care. Occasionally, fellows are expected to provide inpatient SSc consultation on the diagnosis and/or management of advanced SSc at MSH, TWH, Toronto General Hospital, and Hospital for Sick Children.

Fellows are expected to participate in a minimum of 1 scholarly project from start to finish: framing the question, literature search and synthesis, study design, protocol development, data abstraction form development, research ethics approval, data collection, data cleaning, analysis, interpretation, manuscript preparation, presentation of findings and peer-review publication. Fellows are expected to present their work at the Division of Rheumatology Research Day (Ogryzlo Day), submit an abstract for a national meeting (usually the Canadian Rheumatology Association Annual Meeting), submit an abstract to an international meeting (usually the American College of Rheumatology or European League Against Rheumatism meetings or the Scleroderma World Congress), and produce draft 1 of a completed manuscript.

Contact Name:

Dr. Sindhu Johnson

Role:

Supervisor

Telephone:

416-586-4800 x8247

E-mail:

Sindhu.johnson@uhn.ca