Search results for: rural

Proposed Medicaid Rule May Benefit Rheumatologists

Richard Quinn | June 21, 2015

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is attempting to update the reimbursement process for Medicaid, which might relieve administrative burdens on specialists and improve access to services.

Tips for Treating Insomnia in Rheumatology Patients

Linda Childers | June 15, 2015

Chronic insomnia is a common complaint for patients with rheumatic diseases and conditions. In fact, sleep disturbances are among the most common symptoms of both fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with more than 50% of chronic pain patients reporting sleep disturbances. Pain combined with insomnia can lead to a vicious cycle, says Ruth Gentry, PhD,…

Institute of Medicine Recommends Changes in Graduate Medical Education

Richard Quinn | June 15, 2015

Questions, concerns and spirited debate have surrounded the Graduate Medical Education (GME) system for decades. The program that trains nearly 120,000 physicians per year is under constant scrutiny.1 Changes to the political landscape, combined with ongoing efforts by health industry payers and regulators to squeeze inefficiency out of the system, have kept the GME in…

The pain of knee OA can make exercises challenging.

Physical Therapy, Exercise Advances for Knee Osteoarthritis

Kelli D. Allen, PhD, Yvonne M. Golightly, PT, MS, PhD, and Bryan Heiderscheit, PT, PhD | May 15, 2015

Millions of adults suffer from painful knee osteoarthritis (OA). Although physical activity can help improve pain and reduce functional limitations, many people with OA are physically inactive. For people living with knee OA, it can be difficult to get started with or continue on a physical activity program, because pain and other symptoms can make…

Pediatric to Adult Care Transition Challenging for Patients with JIA

Lynn R. Spiegel, MD, FRCPC | May 15, 2015

Dr. Sheffield is an adult rheumatologist who received the following referral request from a family doctor: “Please see this 22-year-old male with a history of juvenile arthritis for ongoing care. I have only seen him once, and have no previous medical records.” Dr. Sheffield meets with Paul, who reports that he has had arthritis since…

Physicians as Targets of Medical Workplace Violence

Simon M. Helfgott, MD | May 15, 2015

Tuesday, Jan. 20, a busy morning lay ahead for the staff of the cardiovascular surgery clinic. There were several new patients to see. No doubt, many of them were anxious to hear whether the skills of the surgeons they were going to meet could help them live another day. There were countless follow-up visits and…

Rheumatologists Expand Reach Through Telemedicine

Kurt Ullman | May 15, 2015

What started out as a way to bring specialty medicine to rural areas around 40 years ago has evolved from sharing imaging and laboratory results to seeing and interacting with patients remotely. Telemedicine is beginning to evolve from its traditional urban–rural linkage, and rheumatologists are following along. “Telemedicine covers a variety of services, but it…