Exclusive: ACR Convergence 2024| Focus Rheums

An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

Letters

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Feedback from our readers

Meaningful Use and Patient Engagement – Supporting eHealth Literacy

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It is no surprise that understanding health information and navigating the U.S. health system can overwhelm even the savviest patients with advanced literacy skills. Data from the National Adult Literacy Survey suggest that nearly 50% of all adults have problems understanding many aspects of healthcare, including prescriptions, appointment slips, and health education materials.

Networking Opportunities Abound

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Networking opportunities can make a large educational conference experience feel truly meaningful, memorable, and beneficial. Make your annual meeting experience memorable by participating in networking options that appeal to you.

ACR Member Named PPAC Physician Researcher of the Year

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Captain Lisa Rider, MD, a physician-scientist and clinical researcher at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md., was named 2011 Physician Researcher of the Year by the Physicians Professional Advisory Committee of the United States Public Health Service. The award was presented in recognition of her basic and clinical research into myositis. Her recent research findings have included: definitions of improvement as a primary composite endpoint for myositis clinical trials, discovery of a novel autoantibody in juvenile dermatomyositis and discovery of new immunogenetic risk factors for juvenile myositis. Her epidemiologic and clinical studies in myositis have made substantial contributions to public health practice.

The Role of the Physician Assistant in the Treatment of Pain

Susan Richmond, MS, PA-C  |  

Pain is a common manifestation of rheumatic conditions. Patients with rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, and osteoarthritis require disease-specific management for controlling acute episodes of pain as well as strategies to control ongoing daily discomfort. 

ACR Talks to Congress about Physician Payment Reform

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This year, key congressional committees that oversee healthcare have held hearings on the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula and are discussing various payment reform options. The ACR has submitted testimony to the key committees encouraging Congress to: