Implementation and Evaluation of a Virtual Rheumatology Training Program in East Africa

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Rheumatology
• Global Health

Background:

• Limited access to rheumatology education and care in many African nations.
• Suboptimal clinical care and patient outcomes due to resource scarcity.
• Virtual education as a viable solution for remote curriculum delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and evaluation of a virtual rheumatology course for sub-Saharan African medical residents.
• To assess the impact of the course on resident confidence and knowledge.
• To identify areas for improvement in virtual rheumatology training.

Main Methods:

• An annual 16-week virtual rheumatology program delivered to internal medicine residents in Rwanda (2021-2024).
• Lectures by international faculty, including African experts, focusing on regionally relevant content.
• Supplementation with a weeklong in-person visit in 2023 and participant/instructor evaluations.

Main Results:

• High resident satisfaction with lecture usefulness; 41% requested more case discussions and in-person teaching.
• Residents reported improved confidence in assessing and managing rheumatologic cases (median 7/10).
• Challenges included resident attendance due to clinical duties and insufficient interaction during virtual sessions.

Conclusions:

• Virtual rheumatology courses are a feasible method for educating medical trainees in resource-limited settings.
• Virtual education complements, but does not substitute for, in-person clinical education.
• The program's adaptability makes it suitable for other regions facing rheumatology resource limitations.