Exclusive: ACR Convergence 2024| Focus Rheums

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

Physical Activity Among People with Arthritis

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At the young age of 25, Julie Keysor, PhD, PT, associate professor in the department of physical therapy and athletic training at Sargent College of Boston University, was diagnosed with bilateral knee arthritis and had already undergone three knee surgeries. Because of this, and through her work as a physical therapist, Dr. Keysor has a unique perspective on physical functioning, activity, and community involvement among people with knee osteoarthritis.

The Arthritis Act: Where Is It Now? What Can I Do?

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In September 2008, the “Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act” passed the House of Representatives. Unfortunately this legislation failed to pass through the Senate and did not become a law. (The Arthritis Act had to be passed in both congressional chambers and signed by the president for the bill to become law.)

Demonstrators Demand More Money for Arthritis Research—What Could Happen?

Leslie Crofford, MD  |  

I recently came across a fictional publication called the Not Yet Gazette with a front-page story dated November 10, 2025, entitled, “Demonstrators demand more money for arthritis research.” The fictional report gave details of a crowd of 100,000, “many in wheelchairs,” confronting the health secretary of that time. The genesis of this fictional article was the observed trend towards the aging of the population and slow growth in research funding. The article stated that, “ ‘Fiscal constraints caused by slow economic growth and resistance to tax increases have greatly reduced allocations for medical research grants in recent years,’ [the health secretary] told the delegates. ‘Unfortunately, in our current political climate, funding for health research is limited,’ she said to reporters after the meeting. ‘We have to devote our limited resources to diseases that are more immediately life-threatening.’ ”

Gout

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Patient Fact Sheet

What Subliminal Cues Are Lurking in Your Waiting Room?

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The current managed care environment and declining reimbursement rates are forcing physicians to see more patients to break even. With a constant stream of new patients and appointments booked back to back, waiting has become an unavoidable patient experience in healthcare. In fact, many patients spend more time in the waiting room than in an exam room with a physician.

Recovery Audit Contractors: What Are the Facts?

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In March of 2008, by Section 302 of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Recover Audit Contractor (RAC) program was made a permanent addition to the Centers’ goal preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in the Medicare system.

Find and Keep the Right Employees

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From the College” recently introduced the idea of tapping into your employees’ values as a way to build and maintain a high-functioning, successful, and loyal staff. This process is part of a larger management cycle—the Five Rs of physician leadership. Simply put, the Five Rs are designed to help physician leaders move from managing managers to coaching leaders. The Five Rs are recruitment, realization, recognition, redirection, and retention.