The ACR De-Fragments & Analyzes Its Data to Identify Member Needs

Looking Ahead

Over the next few months, we plan to launch several initiatives based on the insights we have gained through a comprehensive analysis of survey data about our members’ educational needs—especially those unmet needs. We found, not surprisingly, that our learners—rheumatologists and members of the rheumatology interprofessional team alike—want education that is accessible, customizable, user friendly, flexible, relevant and available anytime. In response to these findings, we will be making changes to streamline access to our online educational activities and facilitate the overall learner experience as we move forward.

We are planning to pilot other innovative changes for our Annual Meeting in Atlanta this year. And there is much more to come.

Can we present and deliver educational content to individual learners how they want it, when then want it? In short, can we customize and personalize an educational program for each one of us and have it available at our fingertips—or in the palm of our hand? Yes—we know we can, especially now, in this Fourth Industrial Revolution. With time, a lot of patience, the help of advanced data analytic tools and the invaluable feedback of our many unique and diverse members, a better member experience is on the horizon.

Paula Marchetta, MD, MBA, is a rheuma­tologist in New York City and the CEO and managing partner of Concorde Medical Group, a multispecialty private group practice affiliated with NYU Langone Health. She teaches at NYU School of Medicine, where she is clinical professor. Dr. Marchetta is the 82nd President of ACR.