Rheumatology consultation clinics are held 10 half-days per week in the specialized musculoskeletal module of the UNC Ambulatory Care Center. This module houses orthopaedics, OT, PT, and a dedicated x-ray unit for bone and joint radiology. A unique feature of the musculoskeletal module is the opportunity it offers for full integration of essentially all disciplines relevant to out-patient rheumatologic care. Approximately 4000 patients with a wide spectrum of rheumatic diseases are seen annually.
The Division conducts a very busy satellite rheumatology clinic in Sanford. The Sanford Clinic at Central Carolina Hospital is staffed by Dr. Alfredo Rivadienera and is open for appointments four days per week. A variety of rheumatological problems are encountered in private practice settings at this satellite arthritis clinic. The Sanford Clinic provides an opportunity for in-patient consultations as well. These clinics significantly expand the chance for fellows to gain experience in "real world" environments.
Approximately 300 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are followed regularly in the Lupus Clinic, which meets weekly under the supervision of Dr. Mary Anne Dooley and Dr. Robert Roubey.
This clinic provides patients with optimum and systematic care and affords the fellows an opportunity for intensive clinical and educational exposure to this major rheumatologic disorder. In addition, the Lupus Clinic forms the basis for ongoing clinical and basic research on SLE. For example, clinical, laboratory, and socio-demographic data from SLE patients are recorded at each visit on special forms and entered into several computer databases, which provide ready access to cross-sectional and longitudinal data; and serum and peripheral blood leukocyte specimens are routinely obtained for storage in an extensive specimen bank.
In addition, a weekly lupus clinic focusing on patients with renal involvement meets weekly in nephrology and is staffed by Dr. Ronald Falk, Dr. Patricia Nachman and Dr. Mary Anne Dooley.
The Pediatric Rheumatology and Immunology Clinic records between 750 and 1000 patient visits each year. Three pediatric rheumatologists and immunologists see patients weekly in two half-day clinics.
The clinic provides multidisciplinary treatment, incorporating rehabilitation, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychology and social work. Similar to the Arthritis Clinic the Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic is involved in an ongoing research project on computer-aided training of medical students and residents. A collaborative outreach program between UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University has faculty and fellows maintain contact with centers around the state by regularly attending clinics and providing teaching conferences sponsored by the North Carolina Area Health Education Network.
The Allergy Clinic is attended by five faculty members from the Divisions of Pulmonary Medicine, Rheumatology, and Pediatrics. Located in the Ambulatory Care Center, the clinic is held two full days per week in the Pulmonary Module. The Allergy Clinic provides a resource for many clinical research projects; including drug efficacy and sensitivity studies. In the past years weekly conference, "Allergy and Airways," has been conducted with the coordinated efforts of the Divisions of Rheumatology and Pulmonary Medicine, and the Department of Radiology.
An uncomplicated Osteoporosis Clinic is staffed primarily by the Division of Endocrinology in the Department of Medicine. Rotations can be arranged for training in this clinic, as in any of the other specialty clinics. This clinic is held for four half-days each week seeing approximately 16-20 patients weekly.
