Psoriatic arthritis (PsA), scleroderma and lupus often require management input from both rheumatologists and dermatologists. Usually patients see the two specialists separately. Combining both in a single rheumatology/dermatology clinic appointment can improve outcomes and increase both provider and patient satisfaction. “Physicians talk about tearing down silos of care, where each specialist focuses on their part…
The 2019 event, to be held Sept. 9-10 in Washington, D.C., will bring together rheumatology professionals and patients to advocate on behalf of the rheumatology community.
Has your practice recently hired a nurse practitioner (NP) or physician’s assistant (PA) to help provide care to a growing patient population? Are you considering hiring, but unsure if you have the time or resources to adequately train someone new to the specialty? The Training Rheum is designed to give your professional staff a solid…
What attracts physicians to a career in rheumatology? Traditionally, the foundation of clinical training at both the medical student and house staff level is based on inpatient services. There are many reasons for this, predominantly revolving around access to patients available for teaching. The result: Trainees are predominantly exposed to a group of conditions that…
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Dozens of rheumatology leaders met with more than 100 politicos on Capitol Hill in mid-May as part of the ACR’s annual Advocacy Leadership Conference. Armed with research and advocacy training concerning a handful of important issues, rheumatologists, rheumatology interprofessional team members, government affairs specialists and others met with federal lawmakers, legislative aides and correspondents….
The College’s principal journals have been telling the tale of workforce woe, exploring the reasons for our predicament and potential solutions for the long and short term.1,2 Among the medium-term remedies is increased use of advanced practice clinicians (APCs), as we collectively refer to nurse practitioners and physician assistants in rheumatology practices. Solutions Estimates of…
On May 16, ACR and ARP leaders serving on the Board of Directors, Affiliate Society Council, Government Affairs Committee, Committee on Rheumatologic Care, RheumPAC and Insurance Subcommittee will go to Capitol Hill to advocate on behalf of the College’s membership and our patients. The group represents 31 states and the District of Columbia, and will…
The workforce shortage in rheumatology is a critical issue the Rheumatology Research Foundation is tackling. The number of patients with rheumatic disease is growing exponentially, and that means more health professionals and innovative approaches are needed to ensure rheumatology practices are set up to offer the best care. In 2018, the ARP released a core…
Like many states in recent years, Georgia has struggled to provide patients with adequate access to rheumatologists and other cognitive specialists, with Georgia averaging 74,713 people per rheumatologist. Of equal concern, 31% of Georgia’s rheumatologists are approaching retirement age. During the current legislative session, the ACR has stepped up with a proposal to alleviate some…
Analysis of the 2015 ACR Workforce Study, published in the April 2018 issue of Arthritis Care & Research, revealed the U.S. will face a shortage of 4,000 rheumatology providers by 2030.1 This shortage will be uneven, with rheumatology providers concentrated in urban and suburban areas, and rural areas underserved. The Central U.S., Southwest, Southeast and…