Still More
The ACR has developed other eLearning activities for the rheumatology community, including the Fundamentals of Rheumatology Course (FRC). The FRC is a series of 10 online learning activities designed to provide foundational knowledge and develop needed skills so professionals new to rheumatology can succeed in clinical practice. The course provides information on signs and symptoms of, and treatments for, the most common forms of rheumatic disease and addresses pain management, psychosocial challenges, rehabilitation and self-management support strategies and more. This course is also useful for experienced rheumatology professionals looking for a refresher on key practice areas.
Benjamin J. Smith, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, is the program director and associate dean of the Florida State University College of Medicine School of Physician Assistant Practice, Tallahassee, Fla.
Marcy B. Bolster, MD, is a professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, and the director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Rheumatology Fellowship Training program. She is currently a member of the ACR Board of Directors.
Sonam Kiwalkar, MD, FACP, is a clinician educator and the associate program director of the internal medicine residency training program at the Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center, Vancouver, Wash.
Julie Lahti is a medical editor, writer and content creator in Roswell, Ga.
Anneke Smith is a medical editor and writer in Marietta, Ga.
Sharon Ross is a project manager and eLearning professional for the ARP and has been employed by the ACR for 16 years.
Disclosures
Dr. Bolster has received honoraria from Elsevier and ABIM. She is a recipient of the Clinician Scholar Educator Award from the Rheumatology Research Foundation.
Dr. Kiwalkar is a recipient of the Clinician Scholar Educator Award from the Rheumatology Research Foundation.
References
- Deal CL, Hooker R, Harrington T, et al. The United States rheumatology workforce: Supply and demand, 2005–2025. Arthritis Rheum. 2007 Mar;56(3):722–729.
- Battafarano DF, Ditmyer M, Bolster MB, et al. 2015 American college of rheumatology workforce study: Supply and demand projections of adult rheumatology workforce, 2015–2030. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2018 Apr;70(4):617–626.
- Solomon DH, Bitton A, Fraenkel L, et al. Roles of nurse practitioners and physician assistants in rheumatology practices in the US. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2014 Jul;66(7):1108–1113.
- Solomon DH, Fraenkel L, Lu B, et al. Comparison of care provided in practices with nurse practitioners and physician assistants versus subspecialist physicians only: A cohort study of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2015 Dec;67(12):1664–1670.
- Smith BJ, Bolster MB, Slusher B, et al. Core curriculum to facilitate the expansion of a rheumatology practice to include nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2018 May;70(5):672–678.
