Pediatric nurse practitioner Courtney Kremer, RN, BSN, MSN, CPNP, works in an academic center: the Department of Pediatrics and Division of Rheumatology at the University of Iowa. “I work with pediatric patients, so I appreciated a separate pediatric course that was geared to my population,” she wrote in an email to The Rheumatologist.
In addition to completing Activity 8, Consultation with Other Health Professionals in the Management of Children with Rheumatic Disease, she also completed Activity 5, Consultation with Other Health Professionals in the Management of Adults with Rheumatic Disease. The latter activity was also helpful, she wrote, because she learned about complementary adult therapies and care coordination.
The most positive aspect of the course, wrote Ms. Kremer, was how easy the course was to navigate. “You have the choice between listening to or watching a recorded presentation, or opening up a PDF to read on your own time. Each module has research supporting the information, which I found helpful.”
Monica Richey, MSN, ANP-BC, an adult rheumatology nurse practitioner at Northwell Health, Division of Rheumatology, New York, also found the course “more dynamic and up to date” than the previous version, with which she was also familiar. “In this version, you now have the person who created the slides delivering the presentation, and as the discussion progresses, the presenter gives case scenarios so you can relate this to your practice. It’s almost like sitting for a lecture, so I enjoyed this version much more.”
Professor Donald Miller, Pharm D, School of Pharmacy in the North Dakota State University College of Health Professions in Fargo, N.D., reviewed Activities 9 and 10, Nursing Management of the Infusion Patient, and Insurance Preauthorization and Funding for Medications. “Each was well prepared and guided learners through fundamental concepts clearly and logically,” he commented in an email. “They give a great introduction and overview.”
A Basis for Growth
The updated FRC can be especially helpful for nurses and allied health professionals entering rheumatology, Ms. Richey notes. Recalling her own initial experience in the field, she says, “It can be kind of scary, because you’re dealing with a lot of sick people. This actually gives you the basis you need to grow on as you learn.”
Dr. Lindsley says, “It’s going to be very helpful to other professionals who want to read about cases or summaries of the different areas of rheumatology. Ultimately, the more knowledgeable the whole team is, the better the care [for patients] is.”
Register Now
To register for the Fundamentals of Rheumatology, visit www.rheumatology.org and select Learning Center.
