Reactive arthritis is highlighted this month in our ongoing series on patient education materials.
ARHP Progress Report
The ARHP has made significant progress toward the goals identified in its long range plan for this year, and I would like to share some of these achievements with you.
Become a Quality Improvement Tool Pilot Site
The ACR plans open enrollment for its new AIM (Assess Improve Measure) module, “AIM: Gout” during the 2007 annual meeting and is seeking clinicians to participate in the testing phase. For more information on pilot site requirements, contact Amy Beith at [email protected], or (404) 633-3777.
State and Local Society Coding Presentations
The ACR Practice Advocacy Department will give programs to assist physicians with coding and reimbursement again this year. Last year, ACR coders spoke at more than 15 state and local societies.
Paget’s Disease of Bone
Paget’s disease generally affects people over 40, and while the disease is associated with heredity, the cause is unknown. The ACR has recently added a fact sheet about this condition to the patient education material online.
Honoring Our Winners
The ACR Research and Education Foundation (REF) maintains an extensive award and grant program with research, training, and education opportunities for medical students, fellows, clinicians, researchers, health professionals, and academic institutions. This month, the REF continues to recognize its latest group of award recipients, who will begin their award terms in July.
Now’s Your Chance to Join an ACR Committee
Volunteers who serve on the ACR’s committees and subcommittees are a vital component of the organization’s ability to respond to the rheumatology landscape for the benefit of members. There are many complex issues facing the subspecialty of rheumatology; it is those dedicated members who choose to become involved who drive the organization’s achievements in advocacy, training, recruitment, education, practice support, and the development of professional standards.
Sniff 101 and Other Lessons
Sometimes doctors don’t speak the same language
ACR State-of-the-Art Clinical Symposium
Join the ACR in Chicago April 13–15 for the 2007 State-of-the-Art Clinical Symposium. The symposium will start with a focus on lupus with presentations on pathophysiology, trial metrics, and a review of recently completed clinical trials. Saturday afternoon will include an update on several diseases including Sjögren’s syndrome, fibromyalgia, pediatric vasculitis, and myositis. Following RA presentations Sunday morning, the symposium will conclude with the always-popular “Year in Review” presentation.
Interprofessional Collaboration Opportunities Abound for ARHP Members
Meeting the needs of persons with complex, chronic diseases is increasingly challenging in a healthcare environment where the demand for high-quality comprehensive services is coupled with dwindling resources. According to the Institute of Medicine, “the ability to plan care and practice effectively using multidisciplinary teams takes on increasing importance as the proportion of the population with chronic conditions grows.”1 This kind of collaboration is increasingly important to ensure high-quality, cost-effective, comprehensive patient-centered care.