Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Study Course Description

Reumatology II

Main Study Course Information

Course Code

RRE_025

Branch of Science

Clinical medicine; Internal medicine

ECTS

57.00

Target Audience

Medicine

LQF

Level 8

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor

Anna Mihailova

Residency Speciality

Speciality

Rheumatologist

Supervisor of Medical Speciality

Anna Mihailova

Contacts

About Study Course

Objective

To provide advanced theoretical knowledge and practical skills in accordance with the national requirements for rheumatology specialization in Latvia, preparing the physician for certification in rheumatology in compliance with the regulations of the Republic of Latvia.

During the second year of training, the resident consolidates knowledge of the principles of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of rheumatic diseases, gains experience in managing complex and chronic patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings, strengthens clinical reasoning, communication, and research skills, and develops the ability to independently interpret diagnostic results and justify clinical decisions.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.The resident demonstrates advanced and comprehensive knowledge of the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal and autoimmune connective tissue diseases. This knowledge supports creative and analytical thinking in clinical practice and research, as well as effective interdisciplinary collaboration. The resident has an in-depth understanding of clinical reasoning and decision-making in complex and overlapping rheumatologic conditions, as well as of modern therapeutic strategies and long-term management principles.

Skills

1.The resident: understands the nature of clinical problems, applies diagnostic algorithms, and provides specialized, professional care; performs diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive measures for rheumatic patients; can clearly explain and discuss complex or systemic aspects of rheumatology with specialists and non-specialists; accurately maintains medical documentation in both inpatient and outpatient settings; independently advances professional competence, assumes responsibility for outcomes and their evaluation; applies innovative, evidence-based approaches in patient care and research under complex and unpredictable clinical circumstances.

Competences

1.The resident practices within their scope of professional authority at the highest level of knowledge, skills, and professional attitude in diagnosing, treating, rehabilitating, and preventing musculoskeletal and autoimmune connective tissue diseases. The resident independently plans and organizes professional development, assumes responsibility for team performance and clinical decision-making quality, and makes evidence-based, scientifically reasoned, and verifiable decisions regarding patient and public health, documenting them appropriately. Demonstrates readiness for innovation and professional initiative in rheumatology, contributing to the improvement of healthcare quality and efficiency.

Assessment

Individual work

Title	% from total grade	Grade
1. Individual work	-	-
The resident independently reviews the latest scientific literature and current research findings in rheumatology, analyzes scientific articles, and applies acquired knowledge in clinical practice. Regularly prepares and delivers reports or presentations during theoretical seminars and actively participates in case discussions and clinical reviews. Independently learns and performs clinically relevant examinations and procedures, improves diagnostic and therapeutic skills, and is able to justify chosen diagnostic and treatment strategies.

Examination

Title	% from total grade	Grade
1. Examination	-	-
Ongoing assessment of knowledge is conducted during seminars and practical training through patient case analysis, preparation and presentation of clinical cases, and the development of study materials on assigned topics. The resident demonstrates the ability to determine indications for specific diagnostic tests and interpret their results. The level of knowledge and skill acquisition is also evaluated using clinical scenario tasks, discussions, direct observation of practical procedures, and instructor feedback.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME

Part 1

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Rheumatoid arthritis

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Rheumatoid arthritis

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Rheumatoid arthritis

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Seronegative spondiloarthropathy: ankilosing spondilitis

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Seronegative spndiloarthropathy: psoriatic arthritis

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Seronegative spondiloarthropathies: arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease, SAPHO syndrom, undifferentiated spondiloarthropathy

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Early arthritis: diagnosis and treatment

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Rheumatic disease activity, damage and functional changes indices, calculation methods, use in daily practice and research

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Other inflammatory arthritis: adult onset Still disease, sarcoidosis, palindromic rheumatism, paraneoplastic arthritis, hypertrophic osteoarthropathy

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Infection-induced joint damage: Reactive arthritis, Lyme disease, Vipla arthritis, HIV, viral-induced arthritis, hepatitis C

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Crystal arthropathies: gout

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Crystal arthropathies: pseudogout, hydroxyapatite arthropathy

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Crystal identification

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Septic arthritis

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Systemic lupus erythematosus

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Auditorium

Topics

Antifosfolipid syndrome

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Systemic sclerosis

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Complications of systemic sclerosis: pulmonary arterial hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis, scleroderma renal crisis

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Auditorium

Topics

Rhaynaud syndrome/ disease; capillaroscopy

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Polymyositis/ dermatomyositis

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Systemic connective tissue diseases: concept and pathogenesis, overlap syndromes, mixed and undifferentiated systemic connective tissue diseases

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Auditorium

Topics

Sjogren'syndrome/ disease

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Lymphoproliferative and autoimmune diseases

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Vasculitis: classification, secondary vasculitis and vasculitis masks

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

ANCA associated vasculitis

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Kawasaki disease and polyarteritis nodosa

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Large vesels vasculitis and rheumatic polymyalgia

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

IgA vasculitis, hypersensitive vasculitis

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Cryoglobulinemia and systemic manifestation of hepatitis C

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Behcet's disease, thromboangiitis obliterans (Birger's disease)

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Relapsing polychondritis

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Paniculitis, erythema nodosa

Seminar

Modality	Location
On site	Specialized room

Topics

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Total ECTS (Creditpoints):

57.00

Number of Residency Seminars:

Length (weeks):

Final Examination:

Residency exam (Theory and practice)

Bibliography

Required Reading

Marc, C. Hochberg. Rheumatology. Current edition

Kelley’s Textbook of Rheumatology. Current edition

Oxford Textbook of Rheumatology. Current edition

Additional Reading

Rīgas Stradiņa universitātes zinātniskie raksti. Rīga, RSU

Zinātniskie medicīnas žurnāli: Scand J Rheumatol; Clinical Rheumatology; The Journal of Rheumatology; Arthritis Rheumatisms; Annals of Rheumatic Diseases; Rheumatology u.c.