| SSC/ SSP: SSP When: 2018 Supervisor: Kate Armon Where: Addenbrooke’s Project: Completed a project looking at patient data and comparing to the literature recommendations. Clinical: 3-5 clinics a week, some theatre or day patient procedures, weekly MDT Best Bits: The team was very friendly and quite small so I got to know them well. Saw children of all ages and varied conditions. Given the chance to do lots of examinations – was an expert on pGALS by the end! Worst Bits: Occasionally some niche details, but I think true of most SSP placements! Contact: tl381@cam.ac.uk |
| SSC/ SSP: SSP When: 2017 Supervisor: Kate Armon Where: Addenbrooke’s Project: I did complete a small project but this was not the focus of my SSP (which was mostly clinical). I did a literature search to see how children on methotrexate who are exposed to I did not get any nice need findings, so I decided not to create a poster or presentation etc from my findings. However, if I had wanted to pursue this further with the team, I am sure I would have received good support. Clinical: The paediatrics rheumatology team at Addenbrookes is very small – two consultants, one registrar and one specialist nurse, and the consultants split their time between Addenbrookes and the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. Therefore, whenever the consultants were running a clinic, I would join them (so I could be in 9-6 on these days). However, perhaps 2 days a week, there weren’t any clinics running and the doctors were at the N&N, so I used these days to do my literature search. 95% of my clinical time was spent in clinic, as paediatric rheumatology is predominantly an outpatient speciality . I mostly observed, although I also had many opportunities to examine the patients myself and I became comfortable with the paediatric GALS exam. I also learned a lot about juvenile arthritis (the most common condition I saw) and dermatomyositis. During my attachment I witnessed a few joints having fluid aspirated – this was done under GA in the young children and using with the older children, and was very interesting to watch. During the placement there was also a child admitted to the hospital with Kawasaki disease, and I spent time with the doctors assessing and managing the patient, which was very interesting. Best Bits: Super friendly team and I got to see some interesting and rare clinical signs. I became confident with the GALS exam. Worst Bits: Paediatric rheumatology is a very niche specialty, so I only saw a narrow spectrum of diseases, and unless I decide to go into this specialty in the future, a lot of what I Other: I spent the vast majority of my time in – if you don’t like clinics this isn’t for you! Contact: mariaseago@hotmail.co.uk |
