TR: Now that the Community Practice Council (CPC) has been incorporated into the Committee on Rheumatologic Care (CORC) as the Independent Practice Subcommittee (IPSC), with the stated goal of supporting independent rheumatologists, do you anticipate there being a more visible platform for addressing the challenges of those in independent practice?
Dr. White: An almost universal exclamation by new ACR volunteers who hail from private practice is, ‘I had no idea the ACR did so much for private practitioners.’ I think part of the problem is getting the word out about the work that has already been done by the private practitioners volunteering at the ACR.
A participation barrier also exists. Recruiting academicians has historically been easier than recruiting private practitioners because time and effort working for the ACR is often rewarded by promotions in academic centers. That same time may just be lost revenue for someone in private practice. So I’m not sure that the organizational structure of the CPC/IPSC matters as much as the ability of the ACR to attract the visionary and inspirational rheumatologists who did not choose careers in academia. When there is a robust pipeline of volunteers, then the ACR becomes more visible and more responsive to private practitioners.
TR: Do you have advice for rheumatologists in private practice on the best ways to strengthen their collaboration with ACR leadership and elevate their concerns about care delivery?
Dr. White: The answer is: Engage. But that’s a frustrating response to anyone who has applied only to not be placed on a committee. So I have three suggestions.
First, think beyond traditional private practice committees. I think the private practice community has its biggest impact on the ACR when private practice rheumatologists serve alongside academicians on committees that, at first glance, don’t appear to have much to do with the special interests of private practitioners. However, guideline development, quality management activities, RISE, the Annual Meeting Planning Committee, the Committee on Ethics & Conflicts of Interest, the Insurance Subcommittee and other committees and activities benefit tremendously from the insights of non-academicians.
Second, start with a subcommittee because subcommittees are not populated through the nominations process. Reach out to committee chairs and subcommittee chairs and ask them how to get involved.
Third, seek first to understand and to facilitate the work of the committee. Your influence and your ability to elevate your concerns depend on first developing those relationships and that trust.
