Subspecialty Careers: Highlights about Careers in Internal Medicine: Allergy and Immunology
The Discipline
Allergy is derived from the Greek word allo, meaning "other or different" and ergon, meaning, "work." In this sense, allergy is something that "works differently" from normal. Immunity is derived from the Latin word immunitas, meaning "an exemption from taxes or public or military service." In the late 19th century, when knowledge of toxins and infection evolved, the meaning was extended to persons "exempt from" or protected against the onslaught of foreign substances and were said to be "immune."
Allergy and immunology involves the management of disorders related to hypersensitivity or altered reactivity caused by the release of immunologic mediators or by activation of inflammatory mechanisms.
Procedures
Important procedural skills include spirometry and spirometric response to irritant challenges and bronchodilators, rhinoscopy, drug desensitization protocols, immediate skin tests for IgE-related reactions, patch tests, and prick and intradermal skin tests.
Training
Allergy and Immunology fellowship training requires two years of accredited training beyond general internal medicine residency in an accredited Allergy and Immunology fellowship training program.
Dual certification can be obtained in the specialties of Rheumatology and Allergy and Immunology after a minimum of three years of training following the general internal medicine residency program. At least one year must be devoted to full- time clinical Rheumatology training in an accredited program. At least 18 months must be devoted to full-time allergy/immunology training in an accredited Allergy and Immunology fellowship-training program. Weekly attendance for 18 consecutive months in an ambulatory care program supervised by Rheumatology faculty must be included in the program.
Certification
The American Board of Allergy and Immunology offers certification in this specialty.
Training Positions
There are 71 ACGME-accredited training programs in Allergy and Immunology.
Major Professional Societies
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
85 West Algonquin Road, Suite 550
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
http://www.acaai.org/
American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology
555 East Wells Street
Suite 1100
Milwaukee, WI 53202-3823
http://www.aaaai.org/
Major Publications
Match Day 2012: An Exciting Experience
Go behind the scenes at Match Day 2012 at The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and hear Dr. Katrina Armstrong, Chief of the Internal Medicine Division at Penn Medicine describe being part of the Match Day experience.
Students: Join ACP for Free
Benefits of Membership for Students: ACP's free Medical Student Membership includes benefits designed especially to meet students' needs.
Join Now: Sign-up today and begin enjoying the benefits of ACP Medical Student Membership.
Find a Residency
Search ACP's Internal Medicine Residency Database for information on all internal medicine residency programs in the U.S. and Canada. (ACP Members only)
Share this article
Introducing ACP Clinical Shorts - Expert Education on Your Schedule
 |
|
10-minute videos give you answers to challenging clinical dilemmas seen in practice and are a terrific way to earn CME credit on-the-go. See more. |
ACP JournalWise: Reviews of the World's Top Medical Journals-FREE to ACP Members!
|
ACP JournalWise is mobile optimized with optional email alerts! Get access to reviews from over 120 of the world's top medical journals alerting you to the highest quality, most clinically relevant new articles based on your preferred areas of specialty. ACP Members register your FREE account now! |
