3 Ways to Advance the Med-Peds Role in Rheumatology

3. Addressing Misconceptions
“There is a stereotype that if you pursue a combined fellowship, you will only end up seeing kids or adults and not use your combined training. I believe this is false,” Dr. Edens says. She notes more research to understand the career trajectory of Med-Peds rheumatologists will help address this assumption.

“Some people think Med-Peds physicians are indecisive. I just think we want it all,” she says.

Carina Stanton is a freelance science journalist based in Denver.

References

1. American College of Rheumatology. 2015 workforce study of rheumatology specialists in the United States. 2016.
2. Feger D, Longson N, Dodanwala H, et al. Comparison of adults with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis to adults with rheumatoid arthritis: A cross-sectional analysis of clinical features and medication use. J Clin Rheumatol. 2019 Jun;25(4):163–170.
3. Van Mater H, Balevic SJ, Freed GL, et al. Prescribing for children with rheumatologic disease: Perceived treatment approaches between pediatric and adult rheumatologists. Arthritis Care Res. 2018 Feb;70(2):268–274.
4. Sammaritano LR, Bermas BL, Chakravarty EE, et al. 2020 American College of Rheumatology guideline for the management of reproductive health in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2020 Apr;72(4):529–556. Epub 2020 Feb 23.