Plain Language Summary
There are very few rheumatologists in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa including Rwanda, which has a population of nearly 14 million. Some African countries have no rheumatologists. Rheumatology teaching and rheumatology care is often provided by nonrheumatologists.
We ran an annual virtual rheumatology course for internal medicine residents in Kigali, Rwanda (2021-2024). The course was integrated into their training program in collaboration with the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kigali, Rwanda. Teachers were rheumatologists from Africa, North America, and Europe. Several teachers went to Rwanda to provide additional hands-on teaching in 2023. Each year, students and teachers provided written anonymous feedback on their experiences with the course.
The students found the course to be valuable and to have improved their knowledge of rheumatology. Students felt that the topics and content were appropriate for the local conditions of medical practice in their resource-limited regions. Several residents expressed interest in further advanced rheumatology training. However, the students felt in-person teaching was best and asked teachers to continue to visit Kigali to supplement the virtual course. Some challenges were identified that were addressed when possible.
