The Training Rheum: ARP Collaborates with American Academy of PAs to Help Rheumatology Practices Onboard NPs & PAs

Michael Battistone, MD, served as a program instructor. Shown with participant Cindi Rule, ARNP.

Hands-On Learning
As part of the interactive curriculum, students learned how to interpret the results of a synovial fluid analysis and how to decide on appropriate laboratory tests when evaluating patients with symptoms suggesting rheumatologic conditions. They were able to perform hands-on musculoskeletal examinations and knee and shoulder joint injections on task trainers.

“The hands-on exam exercise confirmed that I’m doing my patient examinations correctly,” said Anne Marie Langlois, PA-C, with Family Practice, Davie, Fla. “And the injection workshop confirmed my knowledge and methods of performing those, too.”

Each day ended with a one-hour Q&A session. “They have been very open to our questions,” said Vanessa Lui, DNP, APRN, AGNP-C, who works for Ken C. Arakawa, MD, in Honolulu. “It has been very helpful to hear different perspectives and experiences that the other students have encountered. The conference has exceeded my expectations.”

To help students stay in touch and continue their learning experience, a Google Hangout Group was established for The Training Rheum community.

Dr. Jonas said the next Training Rheum will be held in Austin, Texas, from Jan. 18–20, 2020. She said organizers will tweak the curriculum after reviewing comments and suggestions from participants and faculty at the Atlanta meeting.

Dr. Jonas said that—based on her experience with the Atlanta meeting—she is looking forward to the next event. “I was really impressed with the learners—how engaged they were with the material, how much they already knew, the kind of questions they asked and their interest in providing excellent care. For me, as a rheumatologist, it was very inspirational and a fun meeting. I hope the learners felt the same way.”

Mike Fillon is a healthcare writer living in the Atlanta area.

 Reference

1. Battafarano DF, Ditmyer M, Bolster MB, et al. The 2015 American College of Rheumatology workforce study: Supply and demand projections of adult rheumatology workforce, 2015–2030. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2018 Apr;70(4):617–626.