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Musculoskeletal Infection (MSK ID) Clinical Track

The Musculoskeletal Infection (MSK ID) Clinical Track is designed to provide focused experiences in MSK ID diagnosis, management, and research in this emerging subspecialty area. Fellows have the opportunity to expand their inpatient experiences on a dedicated Bone/Joint Infection service, rotate through outpatient clinics dedicated to MSK ID, spend time with clinicians in MSK-adjacent fields such as Wound Care and Orthopaedic Surgery, and attend multidisciplinary MSK ID case conferences and seminars featuring speakers of national acclaim in the field. In addition, fellows are provided MSK ID research mentors to help develop and complete a scholarly project in an area of interest. Specific components of the track can be modified to fit each fellow’s individual career aspirations and needs- for example, provide additional time in Wound Care Clinics, the Musculoskeletal Radiology Reading Room, or a bench laboratory project experience.

Objectives

The curriculum aims to promote excellence in the following areas:

  • Inpatient care of musculoskeletal infections including septic arthritis, diabetic foot osteomyelitis, vertebral osteomyelitis, fracture-related infection, and periprosthetic joint infection
  • Outpatient care of musculoskeletal infections, including Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT) and oral-based Complex Outpatient Antibiotic Therapy (COpAT)
  • Models of interdisciplinary care with services including Orthopaedic Surgery, Podiatry, Musculoskeletal Radiology, and Wound Care

Available Activities

  • Additional time on the inpatient Bone and Joint consultation service at Parkland
  • Elective time in OPAT/COpAT Clinic
  • Elective time in Wound Care Clinic
  • Teaching sessions from other specialties including Wound Care, Orthopaedic Surgery, Podiatry, and Musculoskeletal Radiology
  • Opportunity to lecture medical students, Physician Assistant students, residents, and fellows on topics related to musculoskeletal infections
  • Abstract submissions to conferences such the Musculoskeletal Infection Society and IDWeek
  • Mentor-guided research including case series or case reports, quality improvement projects, retrospective chart reviews, or systematic review articles
  • Opportunities to work on translational laboratory-based projects

Resources

There are robust resources for MSK ID at UTSW, including a monthly multidisciplinary Musculoskeletal Infection Case Conference, monthly didactic Musculoskeletal Infection Seminar Series with speakers from across the country, and one:one mentorship with experts in MSK ID at our teaching sites. by faculty. A faculty research mentor will be identified, and fellows are strongly encouraged to conduct clinical or translational research and disseminate this work at a regional or national HIV meetings.

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