Graduate Diploma of Paediatric Rheumatology.
INTRODUCTION
The Graduate Diploma in Paediatric Rheumatology,
- It aims to significantly improve understanding and management of
children and adolescents with rheumatological disorders, particularly in
the Asia Pacific region where more than half of the world’s children live
(1.3 billion).
- The program offers course participants a world-class qualification
from a prestigious university.
- The program has been devised by Dr Prudence Manners with Dr Kevin
Murray with special emphasis on accessibility for physicians and
paediatricians and encompasses study at home and abroad over a two-year
period.
- It is planned that a Masters of Paediatric Rheumatology will be
developed in the near future, envisaged as a further year of study
following the acquisition of the Diploma of Paediatric Rheumatology
.
WHAT THE COURSE
OFFERS
Course
Content.
The course content will embrace all aspects of
paediatric rheumatological disorders including:
- The clinical and scientific aspects of the inflammatory
arthritides, infection related disorders, systemic connective tissue
diseases including SLE, dermatomyositis, scleroderma, vasculitides,
mechanical and soft tissue rheumatological disorders, rheumatological
manifestations of malignancy and orthopaedic conditions, chronic pain
syndromes, and uncommon rheumatological disorders in children and
adolescents.
- The interpretation of laboratory and radiological investigations of
such conditions.
- Management strategies and drug therapies for paediatric
rheumatological disorders
- The appreciation of the medical and social complexities of chronic
disease and disability in children and adolescents.
- The principles of evidence based medicine, basic research methods,
basic epidemiology and the science of rheumatological disorders.
Study Methods
A 2 year course of study (mainly part-time)
comprising:
- Intensive on-campus two-week program at UWA, with lectures,
seminars, clinical skills workshops and orientation in the use of
electronic library materials. It will also encompass a course on
evidence-based medicine and research methods. The two-week component is compulsory to the
course.
- Internet-delivered didactic course work, problem based learning
program with regular clinical scenarios and quizzes which are interactive.
- Submission of casework electronically. Suggested relevant literature for study
will be provided.
- Critical analysis of evidence based clinical and scientific
studies.
- The use of electronic bulletin board and forum rooms and email
providing access and communication with lecturers, fellow students and
colleagues on the course
- Clinical attachment of 3 to 4 months (or eguivalent) in the second
year of the course facilitated by UWA in co-operation with paediatric and
rheumatological colleagues in the students’ country of origin or overseas
countries at recognised centres for paediatric rheumatology around the
world, depending on circumstances for each student.
- Students will be expected to engage in 10-15 hours of study per
week related to the course over 4 university semesters (2 semesters per
year for 2 years) with 2 components being full-time: the initial 2 weeks
in
STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE
Course Content: Four units
will be completed over a 2 year period, part-time, with the student based
primarily in their own country and community. The initial two-week course
on-campus at UWA in the first year is compulsory, and likewise a the 3 to 4 months (or equivalent) clinical attachment in
second year.
YEAR 1
Unit One (12 points) Full year Unit:: 1 March –
Run concurrently
with Unit Two
1.
Initial 2 week UWA on-campus
course,
2.
Web-based studies in home country
– 14 March –
This unit
deals with the fundamental clinical,
diagnostic, therapeutic tools related to musculoskeletal disease with
particular reference to the inflammatory arthritides, infection-associated
joint disorders and related conditions, and systemic connective tissue diseases
in children and adolescents, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus,
dermatomyositis and scleroderma.
Unit Two (12 points) Full Year
Unit: 1 March –
Run concurrently with Unit One
1. Introductory teaching
will be provided in the initial two-week on-campus course (1-12 March 2004).
2. Web-based studies in
home country for the remainder of 2 semesters of 2004.
This unit deals with the
integrated scientific and evidence based body of knowledge derived from
anatomy, physiology, biochemistry of the musculoskeletal system, and aspects of
basic science clinically relevant to paediatric rheumatological disease
including mechanisms and pathogenesis of inflammation, concepts of
autoimmunity, immunogenetics, the pathophysiology of pain and the concept of
evidence based medicine. The fundamental tools necessary for the instigation of
quality research including basic statistical methods, research methods and
basic epidemiology will also be addressed.
YEAR 2
Unit Three (12 points) Full Year Unit: 28 February -
Run concurrently with Unit Four
1.Web-based studies in home country
This unit deals with the fundamental clinical, diagnostic and
therapeutic tools related to musculoskeletal disease with particular reference
to the vasculitides, mechanical and soft tissue rheumatological disorders,
musculoskeletal manifestations of malignancy and orthopaedic conditions, with
specific reference to paediatric rheumatological disorders in Asia Pacific
countries.
Unit Four (12 points) 28
February –
Run concurrently with Unit Three
1. Clinical attachment (3-4 months or flexible
equivalent) at an internationally recognised centre for paediatric rheumatology
or approved home country centre.
2. Research
project of sufficient standard to be published in an approved journal or
presented at an approved scientific meeting.
TOTAL COURSE REQUIREMENT: 48 POINTS
COURSE PREREQUISITES
- Essential – Basic medical degree – qualifications to be assessed by
International Office prior to enrolment
- Desirable - experience in care of children, or qualification in
paediatric medicine.
- English as a Second Language Qualification. It is a requirement of
the University that all international students have an approved
qualification in English as a Second Language.
- Immunisation history and MRSA clearance mandatory for all students
before entry to clinical areas of hospitals. MRSA swab performed on site
on Day One of 2 week residential course, March 2004.
- Appropriate personal computer requirements for home study.
COSTS TO THE
STUDENT
·
University
Course fees for International Students: $ AUS10,000
per year – Total $ AUS20,000 investment for entire course. Fees for Australian
students are subject to different cost structure. Please contact Manager of School
of Paediatrics and Child Health on 61 (0)8 9340 8594 or lucyb@ichr.uwa.edu.au with any queries re course fees.
·
Students are
responsible for travel and accommodation costs for two-week on campus course
March 2004 in
·
Students are
responsible for travel and accommodation costs of the clinical attachment of
3-4 months 2005. There may be individual costs to the students as decided by
particular international centres for the clinical attachments. (The university
will be assisting in the organisation of these attachments but will not be
responsible for the expenses of the students.)
·
Students are
responsible for their own computers and software, which are compulsory
requirements for a web-based course.
2
WEEK RESIDENTIAL COURSE UWA Accommodation and Meals
Trinity
Residential College
8-14 nights Single
- $70 per
night per room
8-14 nights Double Shared $85 per night per room ($42.50 per person per night)
15+ nights Single
- $60 per
night
15+ nights Double Shared $95 per night per room
($37.50 per person per night
Breakfast
included in room cost
Additional
meals available – Trinity dining room
Lunch
AUD$6.00 Dinner
AUD$8.00
Please contact School Manager Lucy Brennan-Jones for
further advice re accommodation
lucyb@ichr.uwa.edu.au
Whilst accommodation at a common venue is
encouraged, private accommodation is acceptable.
Details on
Trinity college:
http://www.trinity.uwa.edu.au/
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
The
UWA has formal agreements with 44 international institutions, promoting
staff and student exchanges, collaborative research and exchange of teaching
materials and methods. Trans-national
programmes facilitate the development of UWA as a genuinely international
university, and help to ensure that our students, whether at home or offshore,
become world citizens.
In 2003, the University had 2,785
international students from nearly 80 countries around the world studying
onshore and overseas, part of a total student body of 16,341.
CONTACTS
All preliminary enquiries:
Dr Prudence Manners pruem@paed.uwa.edu.au or Ms Lucy Brennan lucyb@ichr.uwa.edu.au
WEBSITE FOR COURSE
http://rheum.paediatrics.uwa.edu.au
WEBSITE FOR FACULTY OF MEDICINE AND DENTISTRY
http://www.meddent.uwa.edu.au/paeds2/
Please note: This brochure provides preliminary
information only, whilst the dedicated website is under construction since
timing is critical and graduate students need as much time as possible to
prepare for enrolment and travel to Perth Western Australia (for 2 weeks) at
the start of the course March 2004.
COURSE LECTURERS
AND ADVISERS
Dr Prudence Manners MD MBBS FRACP and Dr Kevin
Murray MBBS FRACP.
The DPR,
UWA is supported by:
- The Australian Rheumatology
Association, Medical Education Committee
- Paediatric Rheumatology Online
Journal
- Asian Pacific League of Associations
of Rheumatology
- The Bone and Joint Decade
- An International Advisory Faculty of
Eminent Paediatric Rheumatologists
Graduate Diploma of Paediatric Rheumatology (DPR).
The
ENQUIRIES
Dr
Prudence Manners: pruem@paed.uwa.edu.au
Ms Lucy Brennan, School Manager: lucyb@ichr.uwa.edu.au
Fax: 61(0) 89388 2097
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