ACR on Air

Dr. Christina Downey discusses challenges faced by rheumatologists, advocacy efforts in addressing drug pricing and workforce shortages, securing funding for Pediatric Subspecialty Repayment Loan Program, and importance of advocating for rheumatology and patient care. Listeners are encouraged to get involved in ACR's advocacy efforts.

Computational modeling company discusses work with autoimmune disease models and collaborations with pharmaceutical companies. Importance of networking, presenting research, and staying up to date in rheumatology mentioned. Potential impact of AI on healthcare delivery explored, emphasizing importance of human judgment. Experience at ACR conference highlighted, including value for rheumatologists from developing nations. Key takeaways from the congress discussed, including imaging studies in non-radiographic enclosing spondylitis and networking for research collaborations.

Dr. Sindhu Johnson discusses the 2023 ACR guidelines for monitoring and treating interstitial lung disease in rheumatic diseases, including screening methods, monitoring frequency, and treatment options. The chapter highlights the importance of collaborative management between rheumatologists and pulmonologists, explores various treatment options and recommendations for specific conditions, and emphasizes the importance of early detection.

Dr. Thomas Ortel explains thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) and its significance for rheumatology. The podcast covers the association between TMAs and rheumatologic conditions, management and diagnosis of hemolytic uremic syndrome in lupus patients, recognition and treatment of TTP, mechanisms of thrombotic microangiopathy, non-criteria manifestations of Antiphospholipid Syndrome, and the future of TMAs in autoimmune conditions.

A sneak peek at ACR Convergence 2023 featuring new guidelines, advocacy discussions, disease classification criteria, and an opportunity to be a live guest on the Daily Roundup segment

Your patients are seeing you regularly, and things are going well. What else could they possibly need? In this week’s episode, we discussed the support a patient organization can contribute between visits to your office and the type of support they provide patients, such as navigating the pitfalls of insurance coverage, managing the complexities of school, work, family, relationships with a chronic rheumatic disease, group support and much, much more. Our guest is Monique Gore-Massy, a distinguished and awarded global lupus advocate, diversity equity & inclusion champion, patient experience researcher, patient opinion leader consultant, motivational speaker, writer, strategist and, a patient with lupus. Her inspiring story and all the ways you can leverage these organizations for your patients are coming up in this next episode of “ACR on Air”. 

Discover the details and highlights of ACR Convergence 2023, including registration dates, location, and pass options. Learn about the planning and organizing process, the upcoming pediatric Great Debate and Review Course, the significance of the Global Summit, excitement for the Knowledge Bowl, and opportunities for virtual access to the event.

Join Dr. Belinda Birnbaum, a rheumatology expert, and Lennie Shewmaker McDaniel, a legal advocate, as they bring a fresh perspective on the importance of advocacy in rheumatology. They discuss how the American College of Rheumatology impacts legislation on Capitol Hill, including pivotal issues like pharmacy benefit manager transparency and step therapy challenges. The duo emphasizes the rewarding role that individuals can play in advocacy efforts, encouraging engagement to enhance patient care and drive significant healthcare reforms.

Congratulations, you’ve completed your rheumatology fellowship! Armed with the knowledge, skills and passion for treating complex rheumatic disease you’re set to go off into the world and help those who need your set of skills most. So... How do you do that? Our next guest, Dr. Sunil Abraham joins us to unpack and demystify this next challenge in your career – from his experience. We discuss the various ways of practicing rheumatology, from academic to clinical, as well as the organizational models of hospital-based groups, community practices, and private practices and the financial risks and benefits of partnership!  

No matter what stage of your career you’re in, the Rheumatology Research Foundation can help and support your research endeavors. This week, we discuss many of the grants The Foundation offers, not just to medical students and early career investigators, but also to medical educators, community rheumatologists and fellowship programs. We’ve invited Dr. Ted Mikuls, MD, MSPH, the chair of the Scientific Advisory Council on the Board of Directors for the Rheumatology Research Foundation and Eryn Marchiolo, the Vice President of Mission at the Rheumatology Research Foundation to discuss what The Foundation is, how it goes about executing its mission for rheumatology research, what scientific topics it’s most interested in, plus how to apply for grants, their grant selection process and how you can get involved.