Rheumatology Advance Access published online on January 31, 2006
Rheumatology, doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kel008
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1 Academic Rheumatology, University of Bristol, Bristol
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. Objectives. Rheumatological conditions are common and all health professionals (HPs) therefore need sufficient knowledge and skills to manage patients safely and effectively. The aim of this study was to examine current undergraduate education in rheumatology for HPs in the UK. Methods. A questionnaire was sent to curriculum organizers and clinical placement officers for all undergraduate courses in adult nursing, occupational therapy (OT) and physiotherapy (PT) in the UK to ascertain the nature and amount of rheumatology theory and clinical exposure provided. Results. Of the 47 adult nursing, 26 OT and 30 PT undergraduate courses surveyed, 85-90% responded. Overall, rheumatology teaching is 5-10 h over 3 yr. Nursing students receive moderate/in-depth teaching on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in only 52% of courses (OT 91%, PT 96%) and on osteoarthritis (OA) in 63% (OT 91%, PT 92%). Clinical experience of RA is probably/definitely available in only 56% of nursing courses (OT 72%, PT 88%), with similar results in OA. Overall, nursing students receive the least rheumatology exposure, particularly in psychosocial issues and symptom management, while PT students receive the most. OT students have limited opportunities for clinical exposure to psychosocial and joint protection issues. Use of local rheumatology clinical HP experts is variable (18-93%) and cross-disciplinary exposure is limited (0-36%). Many educators consider their rheumatology training to be insufficient (nursing 50%, PT 42%, OT 24%). Conclusions. Rheumatology training for undergraduate HPs is limited in key areas and often fails to take advantage of local clinical expertise, with nursing students particularly restricted. Clinical HP experts should consider novel methods of addressing these shortfalls within the limited curriculum time available.
Received September 30, 2005
Accepted December 9, 2005
Original Papers
Current provision of rheumatology education for undergraduate nursing, occupational therapy and physiotherapy students in the UK
C. Almeida 1,
B. Clarke 2,
A. O'Brien 3,
A. Hammond 4,
S. Ryan 5,
L. Kay 6,
and
S. Hewlett 2 *
2 School of Adult Nursing, University of the West of England, Bristol
3 School of Health and Rehabilitation, Keele University, Keele
4 Rheumatology Unit, Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, Derby
5 Rheumatology Department, Haywood Hospital Stole on Trent, UK
6 Rheumatology Unit, Newcastle upon Tyne, Freeman Hospital, UK
S. Hewlett, E-mail: Sarah.Hewlett{at}bristol.ac.uk
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  S. Hewlett, B. Clarke, A. O'Brien, A. Hammond, S. Ryan, L. Kay, P. Richards, and C. Almeida Rheumatology education for undergraduate nursing, physiotherapy and occupational therapy students in the UK: standards, challenges and solutions Rheumatology, July 1, 2008; 47(7): 1025 - 1030. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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