About the Program

The Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Fellowship Program at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine is designed to prepare physicians to serve as specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of endocrine disorders. The goal is to produce highly competent endocrinologists who can fill regional and national needs for clinical care and academic practice of the subspecialty. The curriculum is designed to provide a broad clinical exposure in management of acute and chronic endocrine disorders in the inpatient and outpatient settings. The curriculum is designed to promote a culture of evidence-based medicine, teach critical thinking and analysis, and to train fellows to be educators for the community, patients, physicians and other trainees.

Applicants for the program are expected to have completed their training requirements in internal medicine by the time their fellowship commences.

The training program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). At the conclusion of the 2 years of clinical training, fellows will be eligible to sit for the ABIM certifying examination in Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Fellows also have the opportunity to participate in research activities under the supervision of a division faculty member, an experience aimed at introducing trainees to clinical or basic investigation and providing the basis for development as an independent investigator.

Educational Goals

• To learn basic and advanced endocrinology, including related biochemistry, physiology and pathophysiology;
• To accumulate a critical mass of fundamental information and practical experience for the diagnosis and management of endocrine disorders;
• To acquire the technical and practical skills required by a consultant in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism;
• To acquire clinical skills in a progressive fashion and with increasing responsibility appropriate for a consultant in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism;
• To acquire knowledge and skills necessary for providing cost-effective, ethical and humanistic care of patients with diabetes and disorders of endocrinology and metabolism;
• To acquire skills and understanding for design and performance of hypothesis-driven endocrine research, and to participate in such research or equivalent scholarly activity. This may include gaining experience in grant writing and scientific presentation.

Objectives

The program will provide training in:

1. Endocrine biochemistry, genetics, developmental biology, physiology and pathophysiology.

2. Hormone action including signal transduction pathways as well as the biology of hormone receptors and feedback inter-relationships.

3. Diagnosis and management of endocrine diseases including:

(a) History and physical examination with emphasis on key clinical features of endocrine disorders.

(b) Selection and interpretation of endocrine biochemical tests.

(c) Selection and interpretation of imaging procedures such as sonography, radionuclide scans, computerized axial tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, etc.

(d) Understanding pharmacotherapy for endocrine disorders and appropriate use of surgery, radiation therapy, treatment with radioisotopes, etc.

(e) Selection and management of patients for whole organ or islet cell transplantation.

4. Procedural and technical skills required by the endocrine subspecialist including:

(a) Fine needle aspiration of the thyroid and interpretation of cytology and pathology.

(b) Performance and interpretation of ultrasound examination of thyroid and endocrine neck

(c) Interpretation and management of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring devices

(d) Performance and interpretation of bone densitometry (DXA) scans

5. Professionalism, including peer interactions, communication with patients, their families and other health care providers, confidentiality and avoidance of conflict of interest.

6. Endocrine clinical and basic research.

7. Understanding of existing and emerging endocrine literature.

8. Personal scholarship and self-instruction.