Plan Now to Attend the 2016 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

The final round of the ACR Knowledge Bowl

For example, a patient may not tell their doctor about their decreased libido or that they took a sick day because they felt depressed, but if you look on social or patient forums where people are trying to self-diagnose or troubleshoot health issues, they will talk to perfect strangers about their day-to-day issues to seek advice or share insight. Health professionals can learn how to use these forums to ask their patients better questions and gain greater insight into the types of issues that many of them may face. Likewise, those who want to learn how to get involved or facilitate a social or patient forum will find this series helpful.

Two-time winners of the ACR Knowledge Bowl, the Iowa Hawkeyes

The Student and Resident Experience offers a networking opportunity.

Another Flipped Classroom series will explore how to synthesize big data. Because researchers receiving federal funding are required to report and make public all of their research data, a tremendous amount of information that contains invaluable resources and links to unsolved medical mysteries is just waiting to be discovered and explored. The Big Data Made Practical Workshop session will focus on teaching researchers how to mine big data reservoirs to find hidden gems of information. Many researchers who use these skills theorize that discoveries, links and breakthroughs to challenging diseases such as lupus, cancer and HIV may lay buried in these data. Experts from The Immunology Database and Analysis Portal (ImmPort) will teach the series.

Events of Interest

In addition to the educational sessions, attendees will want to be sure to attend the opening networking event held on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., immediately after the opening session. A big band will provide music and reception food will be served. “This is a fun and informal event that gives our attendees a chance to network with their colleagues from around the world,” says Ron Olejko, senior director of meeting services for the ACR.

Being around other rheumatologists, rheumatology health professionals and thought leaders from all over the world is an invigorating experience.

Of course, you will want to set aside some time to visit the 150,000-square-foot exhibit hall. If 2015 is any indication, you can expect more than 160 exhibitors. “The exhibit hall offers an opportunity to network with exhibitors and learn about new products and services,” says Stacey Chandler, director of expositions for the ACR. Visit the Innovation Theater to listen to presentations by exhibiting companies. At the TechMed Pavilion, you can visit exhibitors that have technology-related products, including apps. Learn about ACR products and services and get answers to your questions at the Discovery Center. The exhibit hall also features morning and afternoon refreshment breaks, as well as a food court and areas to sit and network with colleagues.