
Pick your Speciality
Rheumatology
Q&A Professional Association
What are the key points of specialist training?
The training lasts 6 years and is structured as follows:
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- 3 – 4 years of further training in rheumatology (specialist)
- 2 – 3 years of general internal medicine (non-specialist)
- 1 year of options (non-specialist (e.g. allergology and clinical immunology, hematology, hand surgery, nephrology, etc.))
At least 2 years of clinical rheumatology must be completed at category A training centers. Up to a total of 12 months of practice assistance in recognized medical practices can be credited.
Research / scientific work:
Scientific work with a demonstrable focus in the rheumatology specialty or completed MD/PhD training can be credited by the title committee for up to one year of specialist further training. This activity does not count as category A further training. A scientific publication in a scientific journal or a dissertation is required for the specialist title.
In addition, participation in two continuing education events of the Swiss Society of Rheumatology, each lasting at least one day (corresponding to at least 14 continuing education credits), is required for the specialist title. In addition, the basic and advanced courses in sonography of the musculoskeletal system must be completed.
How expensive is this specialist training?
Costs for further training: The SGR congresses cost approx. 100 CHF per event for residents (for specialists, participation in two training events of at least 1 day each is required). The ultrasound courses cost between CHF 1000-1500 per course (basic and advanced course required for specialists). The employer often contributes to the training costs.
Further costs for optional further training (only a selection): e.g. RheumaUpdate (congress) -> approx. 500 euros, training in manual medicine (CAS comprises 3 modules, DAS a further 5 modules) -> 1900 CHF per module. Appraisal course (5 modules) -> approx. 700 CHF per module for doctors in training (1000 CHF for specialists).
Costs for the specialist examination: written examination 600 CHF. Oral examination 900 CHF (as of 2024)
Title fee CHF 4,000 (second and each additional title: CHF 2,000)
What further training options and specializations are there?
There are various further training options and specializations. Possible specializations include inflammatory arthritis, spondyloarthitis, vasculitis, connectivitis, pain disorders/rehabilitation or pregnancy rheumatology. Further training opportunities include sonography (musculoskeletal system, salivary glands, vessels (especially neck/head)), manual medicine (SAMM), assessment (Swiss Insurance Medicine (SIM)), pain therapy (including infiltrations with/without image intensifier).
How can a stay abroad in this area be implemented or is it even necessary? (e.g. necessity of the USMLE)
Foreign training can be credited, but it is advisable to obtain prior approval from the Titles Commission (TK, request to the SIWF office) for foreign training to be credited. At least 2 years of clinical rheumatology must be completed at training institutions recognized for rheumatology in Switzerland.
How well can this specialty be combined with research (clinical research or basic research)?
The specialty can be combined well with research, preferably at a university hospital.
How important is it to do research (e.g. to do an MD-PhD)?
If you are aiming for a career at a university hospital, research and/or involvement in teaching is important. This is not usually the case if you are working in practice or in a non-university hospital.
How important is it for your starting job to gain an insight into this subject area during the elective year?
If you have the opportunity to gain an insight into the specialty of rheumatology during the elective year or as part of a rotation (e.g. from internal medicine), this is certainly helpful. However, it is not a prerequisite and, if you are interested, you can also apply for an internship lasting several days in a rheumatology department.
Q&A Physicians
Senior physician, 36 years old
How old are you?
36 y/o
Where did you study and when did you graduate?
Bern, 2013
Do you have a doctorate?
Yes
When did you become a specialist?
2023
How long did your specialist training take?
7 years.
What is your current position (and background)?
Senior physician at the regional hospital.
How does your working week look like?
65% workload, outpatient consultation and consultation service, weekly working hours approx. 30-35 hours, no shift work.
When and why did you choose this specialization?
Because it is a versatile, varied subject with close links to internal medicine.
How would you describe your time as a resident?
Instructive but exhausting (shift work, overtime, self-study)
Is part-time work possible already during residency?
It is possible, but part-time work can make certain rotations (e.g. rotation to the ward) or special consultations/further training more difficult (e.g. if these are tied to certain days of the week).
What working modalities does your specialist title offer?
Hospital, practice and research possible.
How competitive is it to complete this specialist title in Switzerland?
Obtaining the title of specialist in rheumatology is not particularly competitive, but some other sub-specializations within rheumatology (e.g. special consultations, vascular ultrasound, research, etc.) are.
How would you rate your work-life balance on a scale of 1-10? Would your colleagues with the same specialist title confirm this?
6
How easy is it to implement family planning in this field?
Although family planning is possible during specialist training, it is easier if it is only realized towards the end of specialist training or afterwards.
What do you wish you had known before your specialist training?
Long working days (especially at the university hospital), complex reports (time-consuming).
Why should someone choose this specialty?
Enjoy working with people and their long-term care, treating complex clinical pictures and thinking in terms of differential diagnosis.
What challenges await someone in this field?
Shift work in the hospital (especially if there is a rheumatology ward), time-consuming reports, sonography training is relatively time-consuming and expensive.
Is it necessary to write the master’s/doctoral thesis in this subject area?
No.
Is it possible to find an assistant doctor position in this specialty directly after the federal examination?
It is possible in principle, but it is recommended/reasonable to have completed one to two years of internal medicine beforehand (internal medicine is part of the specialist training for rheumatology anyway).
What advice would you give to young medical students?
After the federal examination, I recommend starting with a “general” subject (e.g. general surgery or internal medicine) and not directly with a specialty. If you are interested in a specialty, it can also be helpful to talk to doctors (residents or specialists) in that specialty and get a taste of it if necessary.