Fellow-in-Training Resources

The Fellows-in-Training Subcommittee, a subcommittee of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Committee on Training and Workforce Issues, consists of ten fellows in training who are ACR members. The Subcommittee’s main objectives are to organize the Fellows’ Educational Sessions at the State-of-the-Art Clinical Symposium and ACR Convergence, influence fellow-in-training volunteer opportunities, and enhance fellow-in-training educational resources. The mission of the FIT subcommittee is to enhance and improve fellowship training, encourage the matriculation of students and residents into the field of rheumatology, and improve the utilization of resources within the College.

The subcommittee is currently accepting applications for new subcommittee members. The deadline to apply is Thursday, September 15, by 11:59 PM ET.

FIT Subcommittee Application

Eligibility Requirements
To apply and hold a seat on the Subcommittee, fellows in training are required to be:

• Available to serve one consecutive two-year term on the Subcommittee.
• An active ACR Fellow-in-Training member in good standing.
• Actively enrolled in an ACGME accredited or Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) rheumatology training program during the duration of the two-year term.

Institution faculty members, students, and residents are ineligible to hold a seat on the Subcommittee. Subcommittee members must be fellows for both years of his/her term. If any member of the Subcommittee accepts a faculty position (s)he will be required to rotate off the Subcommittee early.

Write for The Rheumatologist
The Fellows’ Forum is a column in which fellows in training can submit case reports and articles on lifestyle, advocacy, fellowship, career development, clinical practice issues, etc. This is a column written by fellows, for fellows. The Rheumatologist is printed monthly and reaches a circulation of over 11,500 rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals. If you are interested in writing for the Fellows' Forum, please contact trainingandworkforce@rheumatology.org.

Advocate for Rheumatology
The ACR advocates on behalf of rheumatologists and the rheumatology community through involvement in federal and state legislation and regulatory action, participation in hearings, and educating lawmakers on issues important to rheumatologists, health professionals, and patients.

Contribute to RheumPAC
Contribute to RheumPAC and learn about ACR’s non-partisan political action committee which provides opportunities to educate Congress on the importance and value of rheumatology.

Advocacy 101
Advocacy 101 is an initiative of the American College of Rheumatology Government Affairs Committee to engage, educate, and enhance the participation of fellows in training and program directors in health policy and advocacy issues. Every year the ACR provides funding for a group of fellows in training and program directors to spend time in Washington, D.C. to learn about advocacy issues through the Advocacy 101 program. The call for applications goes out each year in the summer and the event takes place in September. The experience culminates with a day on the Hill to meet with policymakers and educate them on issues relevant to our profession. For questions, please contact advocacy101@rheumatology.org.

Advocacy Tools and Resources
Find out how you can help advance rheumatology both on the State and Federal level. If you have questions about getting involved, please contact advocacy@rheumatology.org.

ACR Special Projects
Special Projects are short-term, low time commitment volunteer activities that contribute to the College. These positions vary in nature and we welcome applications at any time. Examples include reviewing web content or sending an email to your lawmakers.   Apply to be a Special Projects volunteer >

Funding for fellow-in-training scholarships is made possible in part by support of the American College of Rheumatology Fellows Education Fund. Scholarships are reportable payments to physicians under the Physicians Payment Sunshine Act. See more information on the scope and contents of such reporting at cms.gov.

The American College of Rheumatology Fellows Education Fund Eligibility outlines the eligibility requirements and benefits of the FIT scholarship for ACR professional meetings and the ACR/ARP Annual Meeting. Fellows in training are notified by email when scholarships open.

Fellows-in-Training Annual Meeting Scholarship
The Fellows-in-Training (FIT) annual meeting scholarship exposes fellows in training to ACR Convergence, the ACR's annual meeting. Applicants must be an ACR fellow-in-training member in good standing.

Rheumatology Research Workshop (RRW)
Two-day workshop is designed to promote interaction between young and established investigators to foster collaboration and career mentoring.

State-of-the-Art Clinical Symposium (SOTA)
The clinical symposium exposes fellows in training to a range of content delivered by key opinion leaders in areas such as therapeutic developments, recent research findings, and scientific advances.

Pediatric Rheumatology Symposium (PRSYM)
This symposium occurs every three years and includes lectures, table topics, oral abstracts, and poster presentations in clinical, basic science, and educational training areas.

For questions about scholarships for fellows in training, please contact FITtravel@rheumatology.org.

Board Certification demonstrates that physicians have met rigorous standards through intensive study, self-assessment, and evaluation.

Suggested Fellow-in-Training Reading List

See the results of the 2017 Fellows' Board Preparation Survey which summarizes data regarding fellows-in-training preparing for the board examination, including resources used, hours spent studying, etc.

ACR’s online CARE Modules are case-based, multiple-choice questions with in-depth answer rationales and links to suggested reading.

ABIM Rheumatology Certification Exam Dates

ABP Pediatric Rheumatology Certification Exam Dates*
*Pediatric Rheumatology Boards are offered every other year (odd years)

ACR Educational Activities
Explore ACR’s broad range of educational activities, including live meetings and online courses.

ACR Convergence
The American College of Rheumatology’s annual meeting, ACR Convergence, is the world’s premier rheumatology meeting. The meeting provides boundless opportunities for professional development, networking, and first-hand access to the latest rheumatology research and clinical applications.

RhMSUS
Individual physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners who perform ultrasound as part of their practice in rheumatology are able to demonstrate competency in musculoskeletal ultrasound and promote quality of care with the ACR’s Musculoskeletal (MSUS or MSK) Ultrasound Certification in Rheumatology or RhMSUS program.

USSONAR
USSONAR is dedicated to the training of rheumatologists in musculoskeletal ultrasound.

Rheum2Learn
These web-based educational modules are a useful resource for internal medicine program directors and residents during rheumatology rotation and rheumatology health professionals for self-study.

Rheum4Science
Rheum4Science modules are targeted to rheumatology fellows in training, medical students, residents, practicing rheumatologists, and other rheumatology providers interested in strengthening their understanding of basic scientific principles and clinical research methodology relevant to the field of rheumatology.

Image Library
The Rheumatology Image Library is an extensive online library with a comprehensive, growing collection of images on a wide range of rheumatology diseases and conditions.

For questions about educational activities and resources, please contact education@rheumatology.org.

Your journey through fellowship is an important time in your life to develop the foundation for your future. While every individual’s plans are different, we think you will find our career planning timeline and academic career and research funding roadmaps instrumental to your career development.

ACR CareerConnection
Start your job search now! The ACR’s CareerConnection service, supported by Health eCareers, is designed to meet the needs of job seekers and employers. CareerConnection is free to job seekers searching for opportunities in the field of rheumatology.

Fellow in Training Career Roadmap
The Career Roadmap timeline is based on insights and guidance from academic leaders/investigators, practitioners, and fellows, to provide an overview of the fellows-in-training  career development process.

Guide to Healthcare Jobs for Residents and Fellows
Is finding a great physician job next on your to-do list? If so, we are here to help! This guide will walk you through all the steps you need to find your first job.

Research Resources
Explore general rheumatology research resources, learn about clinical trials and registries, access resources to guide clinical researchers in evidence-based practice, and explore information, resources, and funding opportunities for early career investigators.

2016 - 2020 ACR Research Agenda
The ACR research agenda has been developed by the ACR Committee on Research with input from members, and is designed to comprehensively address important areas for research in rheumatic diseases including the need for new technology, infrastructure, and increased funding.

Rheumatology Research Foundation
The Rheumatology Research Foundation is the largest private funding source for rheumatology research and training in the United States.

Awards and Grants
Check out award and grant opportunities available from the Rheumatology Research Foundation.

Clinical Practice Guidelines
The American College of Rheumatology places a high priority on developing methodologically rigorous, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines that take into consideration the expertise and viewpoints of multiple stakeholders in a transparent fashion. Individuals and organizations interested in quality care for patients with rheumatic disease are encouraged to review the ACR Clinical Practice Guidelines.

#RheumJC
Follow and comment on the Rheumatology Journal Club on Twitter. Online meetings are held throughout the year to discuss high-impact papers and cutting edge research. Follow today.

Balancing Family and Fellowship
Check out the ACR Fellows-in-Training Subcommittee recommendations and suggested resources on balancing life, family, and fellowship training.