As state rheumatology societies go, the Nebraska Rheumatology Society (NRS) is one of the new kids on the block. Established two years ago, the NRS hopes to involve all 27 rheumatologists across the state. Marcus Snow, MD, a rheumatologist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, says the state’s rheumatologists are spread across…
SNOWMASS VILLAGE, COLO.—A major workforce shortage, a population of patients taking immunosuppressants where safety concerns and the patient experience are critical, and an increasing focus on remote patient monitoring and telehealth are driving a discussion regarding the role digital wearables play in rheumatologic care. “We need to be more thoughtful and efficient in taking care…
Even before I started my rheumatology fellowship, I knew it would be a demanding career, diagnosing complex diseases with only a few management options in seriously ill patients. What I didn’t appreciate as much before is how badly we are needed across the country. According to the 2018 outcomes report from the National Resident Matching…
Telerheumatology—which refers to the application of electronic communication technology to clinical encounters from a distance between rheumatologists and their patients—has the potential to extend a workforce projected to experience significant shortfalls, making it more accessible to more patients. Multiple barriers that stood in the way of taking full advantage of this promise are now down—at…
In light of a new reporting framework that will be available in 2021, Lisa Suter, MD, describes the importance of quality measures for measuring value and improving patient care.
Jane’s* hands and wrists had been swollen and painful for about eight weeks. Lab findings in the ambulatory consult that came to our office revealed a cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody count >250 u/mL. We all know where this story goes, including how important the early treatment window is. Our clinic reviews all consults and tries…
Editor’s note: We are sad to announce that we have learned of the passing of Dr. Philip C. Robinson. We will share more as it becomes available, but in the meantime, we wanted to repost this article he wrote for The Rheumatologist early in the pandemic. Dr. Robinson also took the photo of the full-arc rainbow below.
(Reuters Health)—Patient portals at U.S. hospitals leave a lot to be desired in terms of privacy when individuals want to share access with an informal caregiver, a new study finds. At nearly half of 102 hospitals included in the study, personnel advised that patients share their account password to give access to a family member…
Working within a community experiencing a high number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is requiring a strategic approach to manage patient care…
Looking beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, one practice has combined its telemedicine functionality with long-term workflow solutions, including telemedicine technology that integrates with its electronic health records system…