ATLANTA—Obtaining prior authorization to ensure services or prescription drugs are covered by a patient’s health plan consumes staff time, and delays or denials may cause patients to abandon treatment, according to speakers at the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting. In a session on Nov. 10, the experts shared tips to smooth the process. Train Staff on…
A lot of effort goes into recruiting the best provider into a practice, but missteps during the onboarding process have the potential to leave the provider feeling unsatisfied and the practice dealing with turnover. Although it is one more task to add to an already full plate of things to do at a practice, comprehensive…
It is with great pleasure that the ARP congratulates the 2019 recipients of the Mentored Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant Award for Workforce Expansion. The purpose of the NP/PA Award is to increase the supply of rheumatology healthcare providers to better meet the needs of people with rheumatic diseases across the U.S., particularly in geographically underserved areas….
Medical students and residents are choosing careers in rheumatology, thanks in part to the annual Choose Rheumatology Experience hosted by the Rheumatology Research Foundation during the ACR/ARP Annual Meeting. The Choose Rheumatology Experience is a special half-day program designed to help future physicians and rheumatology professionals navigate the Annual Meeting. Cultivating interest in rheumatology is…
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…