ACR on Air

Learn about the Rheumatology Access Expansion Initiative aiming to train Navajo healthcare providers in rheumatology care using the ECHO model. Discover the challenges of rheumatology care shortages in underserved areas, incorporating real patient cases in training, funding obstacles, and the success of the rheumatoid arthritis program in the Navajo Nation.

Cheryl Crow, founder of Arthritis Life, shares insights on occupational therapy, including managing pain with compression gloves and the impact of strength training on brain fog. She discusses empowering children with juvenile arthritis and emphasizes a holistic approach to occupational therapy.

Delving into the intricate world of placebo effects, the podcast explores their impact on pain management in rheumatology. It discusses the nuances of placebo effects, including their dual nature and the surprising effectiveness when patients are informed about taking placebos. The conversation also touches on utilizing placebos for chronic fatigue and pain relief, the role of authority in placebo effects, and the challenges in the medical community regarding their use.

Dr. John Stone, premiere researcher in the field of IgG4-Related Disease, discusses the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment options, and ongoing research of the disease. Topics include the autoimmune nature of the disease, risk factors, effectiveness of B cell depletion therapy, curability and long-term disease remission, as well as other conditions with elevated IgG4 levels.

Rheumatology experts Joan Bathon and Jill Buyon discuss upcoming abstracts in the field. Topics include the use of AI, steroid use, hydroxychloroquine dosing, preventing RA in lupus, pregnancy in lupus, and methotrexate dosing.

Dr. Mary Beth Humphrey, an expert in rheumatology, discusses the new ACR GIOP guidelines in this podcast. The podcast covers topics such as glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) in rheumatic diseases, screening for osteoporosis in adults and pediatric patients, treating osteoporosis in patients on glucocorticoids, interventions for osteoporosis, and the potential impact of the new guidelines on people with rheumatic diseases.

Experts discuss strategies for recruiting and retaining rheumatology workforce, challenges in rural areas, changes in practice dynamics in Omaha, role of nurse practitioners, bureaucratic hurdles in healthcare, and strategies for reducing burnout in rheumatology.

The podcast features interviews with attendees of Convergence at the San Diego Convention Center, discussing impactful sessions on topics such as lupus genetics, mitochondrial diseases, and imposter syndrome. Speakers also highlight the development of a strategic plan for autoimmune disease research and the importance of networking. They discuss the relaxing activity of making friendship bracelets and express excitement for future conferences.

In this podcast, Dr. Hausmann interviews attendees at the Convergence Annual Meeting. Topics discussed include the benefits of networking at the conference, the experiences of MedPeds physicians, excitement for interprofessional activity and patient engagement at the conference, and interesting sessions on treatment options for PMR, GCA, and lupus.

Award-winning researcher, Dr. Doruk Erkan, discusses new classification criteria for Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), highlighting the challenges of diagnosis and the need for further research. The podcast explores the complexity of APS, emphasizes the importance of assessing the antiphospholipid antibody profile, and discusses the limitations of the old criteria. The development of the new classification criteria is discussed, emphasizing the collaborative effort and point-based system. The podcast also touches on the challenges of APS guidelines, the development of criteria for patients needing anticoagulation, and the potential impact on diagnosis and management of ANIFOSFELIPIT syndrome.