Healthcare Professionals Can Tap the ARP for Assistance

The Association of Rheumatology Professionals, the Interprofessional Division of the ACR, works to meet its members’ needs through:

• Training and professional development;
• Patient resources; and
• Volunteer match opportunities.

Training & Professional Development
The ARP offers a variety of educational opportunities online and in person. These include:

• A variety of interprofessional sessions offered at the ACR/ARP Annual Meeting and intended to increase rheumatology knowledge and enhance patient care.

• The Training Rheum: Designed to provide PAs and NPs with a well-rounded foundation on the essential rheumatology topics while assisting practices in providing rheumatology specific training for their team. The Training Rheum is a great onboarding incentive and retention opportunity. It’s the perfect course if you are new to rheumatology or if you are looking to transition into rheumatology. Through interactive, case-based and hands-on instruction, expert faculty discuss the most common conditions seen in a rheumatology practice. Faculty teach foundational concepts in rheumatology, as well as the assessment and treatment of various rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and multisystem autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

• Online education: The ARP offers high-quality, flexible learning opportunities for all members of the interprofessional team based on where an individual is in their career, whether new to rheumatology or more seasoned in the subspecialty.
  • Fundamentals of Rheumatology Course*: Build a strong rheumatic disease foundation while earning CME. This course is for people transitioning into a rheumatology practice, such as nurses, office nurses, licensed practical nurses (LPNs), medical assistants (MAs), practice managers, office staff or other clinicians. Ten modules offer a current, evidence-based overview of adult/pediatric rheumatic disorders and care, as well as insurance pre-authorizations.
  • Advanced Rheumatology Course*: This comprehensive course is designed to expand the knowledge and practical skills of providers in rheumatology practice, academic training and primary care. The target audience is rheumatology fellows in training, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, primary care physicians/internists, residents and providers new to rheumatology.
  • eBytes (complimentary to ACR/ARP members): Advanced Rheumatology eBytes complement the Advanced Rheumatology Course by allowing you to get a bite-size portion of education while receiving CME credits at any time that is convenient for you. eBytes courses focused on rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are also available at no cost to members.

Patient Resources
Rheumatic diseases are complex and affect many aspects of a patient’s life. Effective management requires the coordinated efforts of a diverse group of professionals. With the patient as its central focus, the role of the multidisciplinary team is to assess and manage a patient’s symptoms and their effects on physical, psychological and social functioning. The priorities of treatment are determined with the patient, resulting in a treatment plan that will lead to the best control of the disease and its symptoms and improve patient functioning. Information outlining the role of various professionals one might come into contact with as a rheumatology patient is also available online.