Endocrinology Fellowship Program
The Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Fellowship Program at Tufts Medical Center provides clinical training for physicians caring for patients with endocrine disorders and research training for those who wish to embark on a career in clinical research.

Mission

The Fellowship Program in Endocrinology in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at Tufts Medical Center aims to bestow fellows with the knowledge, skills and adaptive expertise required to become independent consultants in endocrinology. The Program nurtures a belonging environment that values wellness and allows fellows to receive training that aligns with established knowledge and methods towards high-quality, high-value, and patient-centered care that celebrates individuality. We embrace thoughtfulness, forward-thinking and imagination to prepare fellows for rapidly evolving knowledge and methods in the field of endocrinology. The Program is tailored to meet the needs of fellows whose future focus will be clinical practice, those who wish to become clinician-educators and those who want to pursue careers in endocrine clinical research.

Number of fellows

To ensure close interaction among the fellows and faculty and enhance the educational experience, the program has 4 fellows each year. There are 2 first-year fellows and 2 second-year fellows. Occasionally, a fellow may have elected an educational pathway that includes additional years of training in research (third or fourth year).

About training programs at TMC

Objectives

Our faculty is dedicated to ensuring that the Fellows can walk away from this training experience with the knowledge, skills, attitude and experience to enter the field of endocrinology and metabolism. In this Fellowship program, trainees will learn how to:
Patient care
  • Provide appropriate and effective care related to endocrine disease in a compassionate fashion.
  • Gather accurate, essential information from all sources, including interviews, physical examination, digital data, electronic medical records and diagnostic/therapeutic procedures.
  • Make informed recommendations about preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic options that are based on clinical judgment, scientific evidence and patient preference.
  • Develop and implement effective patient-centered management plans.
  • Perform competently the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures considered essential to the practice of endocrinology.
Medical knowledge
  • Demonstrate knowledge of established and evolving biomedical, clinical and social sciences as it relates to endocrine disease and apply this knowledge to patient care and the education of others.
  • Apply an open-minded, analytical approach to evaluate scientific evidence and acquire new knowledge.
  • Develop knowledge of the basic and clinical sciences that underlie the field of endocrinology.
  • Accumulate a critical mass of fundamental information and practical approaches for the prevention, diagnosis and management of endocrine disorders.
  • Acquire the clinical skills that are necessary for a consultant in the field.
  • Acquire the procedural and technical skills that are necessary for a consultant in the field.
  • Couple knowledge with critical thinking towards clinical problem solving and clinical decision-making.
Practice-based learning and improvement
  • Use scientific methods to investigate, evaluate and improve patient care practices.
  • Evaluate their practice by identifying areas for improvement and implement strategies to enhance knowledge, skills, attitudes and processes of care.
  • Develop and maintain a willingness to learn from errors and improve the system or processes of care.
  • Use information technology or other available methodologies to access and manage information, support patient care decisions and enhance both patient and physician education.
Interpersonal and communication skills
  • Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills toward establishing and maintaining professional relationships with patients, families and other members of health care teams.
  • Provide effective consultation to other physicians and health care professionals.
  • Use effective listening, questioning and narrative skills to communicate.
  • Maintain succinct but comprehensive medical records, completed in a timely fashion.
  • Develop the speaking skills and confidence required to present clinical or scientific information to audiences of patients and health care professionals.
Professionalism
  • Demonstrate behaviors that reflect a commitment to continuous professional development, ethical practice, an understanding and sensitivity to diversity and a responsible attitude toward patients, the profession and society.
  • Demonstrate respect, compassion, integrity and altruism in relationships with patients, families and colleagues.
  • Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to the gender, age, culture, religion, sexual preference, socioeconomic status, beliefs, behaviors and disabilities of patients and colleagues.
  • Show commitment in carrying out professional responsibilities.
  • Show adherence to ethical principles.
  • Demonstrate confidentiality.
  • Avoid conflict of interest.
Systems-based practice
  • Demonstrate both an understanding of the context and systems in which health care is provided, and the ability to apply this knowledge to improve and optimize health care.
  • Understand, access and utilize the resources, providers and systems necessary to provide optimal care.
  • Apply evidence-based, cost-conscious strategies to prevention, diagnosis and disease management.
  • Collaborate with other members of the health care team to assist patients in dealing effectively with complex systems and to improve systematic processes of care.
Research
  • Meaningfully participate in a research project that leads to a peer-reviewed publication.
  • Acquire skills in design and performance of hypothesis-driven endocrine research.
  • Show adherence to ethical principles of confidentiality, conflict of interest and informed consent.
Contact info
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Angela Regan
Fellowship Coordinator