2009 ARHP Audioconference Series

Dr. Buckley

The 2009 ARHP Audioconference Series will explore pertinent and timely topics that will strengthen the clinical practice of healthcare providers working with individuals with rheumatic diseases.

Eight conference calls will feature presentations by well-known experts in rheumatology and will provide the audience with direct interactive phone communication to answer topic-related questions. As a new feature in 2009, participants will able to interact with speakers through the ACR/ARHP Web site. This feature will also allow participants to view recorded sessions.

Topics included in the 2009 series address issues related to current therapies for rheumatic diseases, physical activity among people with arthritis, Medicare updates, disease-specific management strategies, and managing office infusions, to name a few.

The series will begin on January 14, 2009 with a presentation by Lenore M. Buckley, MD, MPH, professor of internal medicine and pediatrics at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. Dr. Buckley’s presentation, “The Pharmaceutical Industry and Health Care Providers: Impact of the Relationship on Patient Care, Professional Education, Health Care Costs, and Public Perception,” will review recent attention to the issue of the relationship between healthcare professionals and the pharmaceutical industry in the media, how that relationship might affect care, and the responses of universities and professional organizations.

One audioconference topic will be presented each month from January through July, as well as one topic in December 2009. Presentations are scheduled between noon and 1 pm ET, with the last 10 minutes dedicated to questions and interactive discussions. The presentations are accompanied by a downloadable PowerPoint handout, and can also be purchased as a CD recording following the audioconference. Specific topic objectives and speakers are available online at www.rheumatology.org/arhp.

Sign up for the January 14 conference by visiting www.rheumatology.org/arhp or by e-mailing Sharon Ross at sross@rheumatology.org.