The Department of Rheumatology is involved in the execution of the study programmes of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, providing training to 4th and 6th year students. In the 4th year, rheumatology studies are integrated into the module of Pathology of the Musculoskeletal System. During the classes delivered by the Department, the the students have the opportunity to observe the process of diagnosis and treatment of patients with rheumatological conditions. They also have the chance to discuss actual patients individually or with a teacher, listen to lectures, and take part in seminars and tutorial sessions. Sixth-year students have the option to follow a 1.5-month clinical rheumatology cycle, during which they acquire extended knowledge in rheumatology.
The Department is also involved in the training of medical residents of different specialties. During the 2-month rheumatology cycle, resident doctors work in the Department and consulting rooms. Rheumatology residents are trained under the 4-year Rheumatology Residency Programme, where they split their time equally between the Department Rheumatology and various units of Internal Medicine, Neurology, Orthopaedics, Dermatology, and Radiology. Upon completion of the Rheumatology residency, these specialists are equipped with the fundamentals of joint ultrasound and the prerequisite competencies to perform diagnostic and therapeutic joint punctures. The Department’s lecturers are also involved in the process of continued professional development of the graduating specialists by delivering lectures and organizing refresher courses for family physicians, internal medicine physicians, and rheumatologists.
Our Department’s scientific advances enable us to introduce new and more effective methods of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic disorders. Epidemiological studies on back pain and spondyloarthritis were carried out at the Department of Rheumatology. The differential diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic scleroderma, and Raynaud’s phenomenon is of particular interest. The D participated in an international study on the course and early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and prognostic factors.
We participate in international projects initiated by the EULAR (European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology), EUSTAR (European Scleroderma Trials & Research Group). Immunogenetic studies are conducted in the context of biological therapy.
Currently, there are 2 students pursuing doctoral degrees in the PhD programme. Their research interests include the epidemiology of gout and hyperuricaemia, pathological relationship between hyperuricaemia and cardiovascular diseases, ultrasound diagnosis of gout and early diagnosis of seronegative spondyloarthropathies. Doctoral students have access to an extensive electronic information database, peer-reviewed journals and course books, and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. The studies are supported by the National or LSMU Science Fund, and other foundations based on the principles of project funding.