At ACR Convergence 2023, panelists presented information concerning several policy issues that affect rheumatologists & their patients, including abortion access & the WHO’s Essential Medicine List.

At ACR Convergence 2023, panelists presented information concerning several policy issues that affect rheumatologists & their patients, including abortion access & the WHO’s Essential Medicine List.
Patrice Fusillo |
SAN DIEGO—During ACR Convergence 2023 on Nov. 11, the ACR honored a group of individuals who have made significant contributions to rheumatology research, education and patient care by announcing the recipients of the ACR’s 2023 Awards of Distinction, as well as the 2023 ACR Masters who were recognized for their contributions to the field.
Elizabeth Hofheinz, MPH, MEd |
Some people may think Pakistan and Oklahoma share little in common, but one recent graduate of the rheumatology fellowship program at Louisiana State University, Shreveport (LSUS), School of Medicine disagrees. Iman Qaiser, MD, MBBS, a native of Pakistan who is starting a role as the only rheumatologist serving the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, sees natural…
Rheumatologists consider ways to encourage racial and ethnic diversity among students and in the workforce in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s ruling that ends affirmative action in higher education.
A Roshi (i.e., master) apparently said that in Zen, “there is nothing to believe and everything to discover.” Interestingly enough, I have never been able to confirm who actually said that, which makes this saying about belief and discovery particularly apt. Regardless, I think about those words at least twice a day when I am…
James Topilow, MD, & Yvonne M. Golightly, PT, MS, PhD |
Recent proposals in the U.S. to bill for electronic communication with our patients could be seen as a refreshing but contested attempt to battle burnout rates in the present era. A fee for electronic communications between patients and clinicians also acknowledges the value of the clinician’s time and expertise. But is this ethical? Discussion Burnout…
Ryan Basen |
Disparities, representativeness, algorithmic bias, the disruptive emergence of large language models and continued misinformation spread are key issues poised to transform patient care in American healthcare, FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, MD, said during a recent event.
The public health emergency (PHE), in place since 2020, officially expired at midnight on May 11. The PHE declaration allowed significant flexibility in the healthcare system. The end of the PHE impacts several policies, including changes in Medicare and Medicaid policies. What do these changes mean for providers?
David Engelbrecht, MD |
The issue of the rheumatology workforce shortage is certainly vexing. Not only does it leave large segments of the population without adequate care for patients with serious rheumatic diseases, but it also increases the burden on the few rheumatologists who serve populous, underserved regions of the country. Solutions suggested in The Rheumatologist (“ACR Workforce Solutions…
Racial Disparities in Lupus Clinical Trial Participation By Saira Z. Sheikh, MD Why was this study done? Lupus disproportionately affects Black and Latino populations, particularly women in childbearing years. Clinical trials of patients with lupus can advance the development of therapeutics and access to better treatments, as well as improve health outcomes for patients. However,…