Expanding Allergy/Immunology’s Reach Using the Clinical Rotation Curriculum

Sindhura Bandi, MD, FAAAAI

Expanding the reach of the allergy/immunology specialty requires a number of strategies. One of those includes exposing more medical students and residents to comprehensive allergy/immunology education. For that, Sindhura Bandi, MD, FAAAAI, turned to the AAAAI Clinical Rotation Curriculum (CRC).

The CRC allows community-based allergists to offer a comprehensive allergy/immunology elective to medical students, residents and FITS who attend institutions that may not offer traditional allergy/immunology programs. “Learners and teachers alike appreciate the standardization of material that the CRC provides,” Dr. Bandi said. “It can be utilized in any clinical setting to ensure that students and residents are presented with relevant information in a manner which is appropriate for their level.”

Dr. Bandi works alongside students as they work on the curriculum, integrating it into their rotation. “Students are provided with an introductory email packet when they start the rotation with us,” she explained. “This includes relevant logistics for the rotation, clinical resources as well as the information on signing up for the CRC. Students and residents are encouraged to sign up for this on their first day. They complete a pre-test and module that is relevant to a patient seen in the clinic for each day that they rotate with us. The following session, we review what was learned and any follow up questions.”

The content of the CRC is divided into core learning and additional learning materials and includes PDF and video resources covering anaphylaxis, asthma, dermatology, drug allergy, food allergy, immune deficiency and rhinitis/rhinosinusitis/conjunctivitis.

The students and residents who have participated in the CRC have overall provided positive feedback, according to Dr. Bandi. Feedback received has noted that the topics are digestible and highly relevant to the field of allergy and immunology, giving participants a better understanding of the field.

“For the curriculum that we participated in, I really enjoyed it and felt like all of the content and articles included easily digestible information for my level of training/education,” said one student, Ashley Cawthon, a medical student at Rush Medical College. “I would say that some content was a bit more in depth than fourth years are likely expected to know unless they are pursuing a career in allergy/immunology. The pre and post-test were fair and relevant information that came up directly during my rotation, oftentimes more than once. I definitely think I improved in my knowledge over the course and thought it was a really nice adjunct for learning during the rotation!”

Dr. Bandi believes strongly in the value of the CRC and several years ago joined the CRC Committee. “When I first became involved, the CRC was in the process of working on updating the core material. It was exciting to help update the CRC to make sure we included the latest evidence-based information but also geared the questions towards today's learner. As a member of the committee, I have also made it a priority to get the word out on this amazing resource,” Dr. Bandi said.

To date, over 3,500 individuals have accessed the CRC as students and over 500 proctors have taken advantage of this teaching resource.

“Any physicians who have learners in their practice and are looking to supplement and standardize the educational experience should consider using the CRC,” Dr Bandi said. “It is an extremely valuable and easy to utilize resource.”