Chinese Journal of Medical Education ›› 2025, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (9): 715-719.DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn115259-20241112-01171

• Foreign and Comparative Medical Education • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Competency-based evaluation system for rheumatology fellowship training in the US: development and reflections

Ge Yan, Chen Yiyue, Peng Xiaofei, Ling Guanghui, Li Fen   

  1. Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University & Clinical Medical Research Center for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha 410011, China
  • Received:2024-11-12 Online:2025-09-01 Published:2025-09-02
  • Contact: Li Fen, Email: lifen0731 @csu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    Central South University Education and Teaching Reform Research Project (2022jy195, 2020jy165-3); China Scholarship Council Teaching Research Project (202306370092); Hunan Province Innovation Platform and Talent Plan, Clinical Medical Research Center Project (2023SK4015)

Abstract: In October 2019, the National Health Commission of China issued the Guidelines for the Establishment and Management of Rheumatology Departments in General Hospitals (Trial), mandating the establishment of rheumatology departments in all tertiary hospitals and the assignment of rheumatology specialists in qualified secondary hospitals. However, there is a significant shortage of rheumatologists in China, highlighting the urgent need to develop a comprehensive rheumatology fellowship training system. In contrast, the United States has established a relatively well-developed rheumatology fellowship training program with detailed assessment and evaluation systems. This paper systematically reviews the establishment and evolution of the competency-based training and assessment framework in the rheumatology fellowship programs in the US. It covers the Internal Medicine Subspecialty Milestones, Rheumatology Milestones 2.0, and Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs). The goal is to provide insights and guidance for developing a rheumatology fellowship training system in China.

Key words: Rheumatology, Fellowship training, Competency based medical education, Milestones, Entrustable professional activities (EPAs)

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