title: Integration of capillary microscopy and dermoscopy into the rheumatology fellow curriculum.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluates a novel, three-part nailfold capillaroscopy training curriculum for adult and paediatric rheumatology fellows.
  
  
  METHODS
  All rheumatology fellows training at an academic medical centre took part in the three-part nailfold capillaroscopy curriculum. Tests of fellows' usage, interest, confidence, and ability in nailfold capillaroscopy were taken at multiple time-points throughout the curriculum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fellows self-reported high levels of interest, increased confidence in delineating normal and abnormal nailfold capillaries (p=0.03) and increased usage of nailfold capillaroscopy (p=0.09). The ability of fellows to identify normal nailfold capillaries (p=0.03) and systemic sclerosis-specific nailfold capillary changes, such as neoangiogenesis (p<0.001), also increased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The curriculum was feasible and led to improved ability of learners to distinguish normal from abnormal and to recognise and describe systemic sclerosis-specific nailfold capillary changes. This curriculum also led to improved confidence in examining nailfold capillaries and increased usage of this skill in rheumatologic consultation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, USA. chris.m.hatzis@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hatzis
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lerner
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paget
authors.affiliation: Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cutolo
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, and Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spiera
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gordon
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D002196:Capillaries / Q000473:pathology*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D046169:Dermoscopy / Q000193:education*; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D004522:Educational Status; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D006801:Humans; D020678:Microscopic Angioscopy; D009262:Nails / Q000098:blood supply*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000193:education*; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology