Dr. Michelle Petri: A Guiding Light for Patients with Lupus

Insights for Others

For other clinicians and researchers who hope to achieve similar success in the future, Dr. Petri has a number of insightful comments. “In the ‘old days,’ she says, “the goal was to be a triple threat—clinician, teacher and researcher. I tried to be a clinical researcher and found it very rewarding, as when I found an answer to a clinical challenge through  analysis of our Hopkins Lupus Cohort. I could change my practice for the better the very next day.”

She encourages young rheumatologists to pursue a similar path to help enrich the lives of patients and expand the research literature. Dr. Petri also explains the practice of medicine is not without obstacles. These include the need to:

• Adapt to the world of telemedicine while ensuring that important clinical clues from the physical exam and history are not lost;
• Maintain collaboration and civility with colleagues even in the age of electronic records and less face-to-face interaction;
• Confront the ongoing challenges of uncertainty in medicine.

On this last topic, Dr. Petri states, “When someone has a little autoimmunity, but not enough to warrant a diagnosis of lupus, I use the term undifferentiated connective tissue disease. It doesn’t mean that it is a garbage diagnosis. There is uncertainty, and 10–20% in this category may progress to another named rheumatic disease. Life is uncertain, and rheumatology is no exception. I explain to patients that if symptoms/signs are changing in a meaningful way, then we need to revisit the diagnosis.”

In Sum

Clearly, Dr. Petri’s journey in medicine has been a remarkable one, and the world of lupus research and care has benefited from her work in innumerable ways. As she points out, the foundations of this career began with great mentorship from colleagues who contributed their time and expertise in a very generous manner. With the Hopkins Lupus Cohort still going strong, the future is bright for Dr. Petri, a shining star in the world of rheumatology.

Jason Liebowitz, MD, completed his fellowship in rheumatology at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, where he also earned his medical degree. He is currently in practice with Skylands Medical Group, N.J.

Reference

1. Rees F, Doherty M, Grainge MJ, et al. The worldwide incidence and prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review of epidemiological studies. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2017 Nov 1;56(11):1945–1961.