Sessions to Check Out During the 2018 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

With more than 450 sessions, the 2018 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting, Oct. 19–24 in Chicago, is your gateway to global rheumatology education. The meeting provides boundless opportunities for professional development, networking and firsthand access to the latest rheumatology research and clinical applications. Here is a preview of a few sessions attendees can look forward to.

Pre-Meeting, Oct. 19 & 20
Arriving in Chicago early? Attendees of pre-meeting session will have the opportunity to grow their understanding of technology, research and musculoskeletal ultrasound.

ACR Clinical Research Conference (CRC): Applications of Mobile Health Technologies
Friday, Oct. 19: 1–6 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 20: 7 a.m.–4:15 p.m.
The 2018 ACR CRC will focus on mobile and digital technologies as applied to research, quality improvement and clinical care settings specific to rheumatology. Attendees will learn about the latest in mobile and smartphone technology, biosensors and other digital health advances. Sessions will highlight the capture of patient-reported outcome and biosensor data, the value of such data for rheumatologic practice and research, and much more.

ACR Basic Research Conference (BRC): Epigenetics in Immune-Mediated Disease
Friday, Oct. 19: 1–6 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 20: 7 a.m.–4:25 p.m.
This conference will focus on how epigenetic mechanisms influence the immune function and how epigenetic dysregulation contributes to immune-mediated diseases relevant to rheumatology. A number of national and international experts will explore how epigenetics is regulated and how it influences gene expression in health and disease. Novel technologies and analysis methods will also be discussed. A number of selected abstracts, will be presented.

ACR Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Course for Rheumatologists & ACR Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Course for Rheumatologists–Advanced
Friday, Oct. 19: 6:45 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 20: 6:30 a.m.–5:45 p.m.; Advanced—Saturday, Oct. 20: 7:15 a.m.–5:45 p.m.
For the first time, this year’s pre-course for ultrasound in rheumatology will include a separate advanced track for those who have already become competent in the basics. Following the example set in Europe, the ultrasound leadership from the ACR plans to provide more sophisticated and informative lectures and hands-on sessions. RhMSUS-accomplished sonographers and others with enough experience will be eligible to attend this one-day course on Saturday.

The beginner ultrasound course will remain a two-day introductory curriculum of didactics and hands-on sessions taught by leading rheumatology sonographers from across the country. As before, this course will provide extensive examples of basic rheumatologic pathology seen on ultrasound while also teaching students basic scanning techniques and normal imaging patterns.

Other sessions include:

• ACR Practice Management: Putting the Pieces Together—Winning Strategies for Rheumatology Practices, Saturday, Oct. 20: 7 a.m.–4:15 p.m.; and
• ACR Review Course: Perioperative Management of Rheumatic Disease Patients, Saturday, Oct. 20: 8:45–9:30 a.m.

Note: These sessions require additional fees to attend and can be added to your Annual Meeting registration. To find out what other pre-meeting sessions are offered this year, visit the ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting website.