Meeting the needs of persons with complex, chronic diseases is increasingly challenging in a healthcare environment where the demand for high-quality comprehensive services is coupled with dwindling resources. According to the Institute of Medicine, “the ability to plan care and practice effectively using multidisciplinary teams takes on increasing importance as the proportion of the population with chronic conditions grows.”1 This kind of collaboration is increasingly important to ensure high-quality, cost-effective, comprehensive patient-centered care.
The Value of Mentoring in ARHP
In today’s unpredictable healthcare environment, mentoring new healthcare professionals is more important than ever. Most of us have benefited from mentors: Individuals who provided us with the guidance, encouragement, and challenges to help us grow personally and professionally.
UPDATE: Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant Rheumatology Training Program
The ACR/ARHP NP and PA Post Graduate Rheumatology Training Program is well on its way to meeting its target for launching in fall 2007. This program grew out of needs expressed by members of ACR and ARHP as well as workforce changes.
Audioconference: Management of Fibromyalgia
Tremendous progress is being made in the area of fibromyalgia,” says Dan Clauw, MD, professor of medicine in the division of rheumatology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and moderator of the March 14 audioconference on the current management of fibromyalgia. “However,” he continues, “as in many fields of medicine, those who are not directly involved in fibromyalgia research and treatment are not aware of the progress that has been made.”
Rheumatology Board Recertification Exam Preparation Course
This is the only review course specifically designed to meet the needs of rheumatologists preparing for the ABIM Rheumatology Recertification Exam, so if you need to recertify before 2010 you should not miss this course.
Audioconference on Emergency Situations
Patient and staff education is the key to effectively handling emergencies and flares in rheumatic disease,” says Gail McIlvain-Simpson, MSN, RN, CS, an advanced practice nurse at Al DuPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Del.
Minimally Invasive Total Hip Arthroplasty Audioconference
Want to learn more about total hip arthroplasty? Register for the January 17 ARHP Rheumatology Audioconference, Minimally Invasive and Percutaneous Total Hip Arthroplasties, where Alberto Bolanos, MD, will describe the latest advances in these procedures.
2007 Recertification Opportunities from ACR
The ACR has several opportunities for rheumatologists who must recertify through the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).
Innovative Therapies in Autoimmune Diseases
The Innovative Therapies in Autoimmune Diseases Conference will be held at the Westin Arlington Gateway in Arlington, Va. March 2–4, 2007. The conference brings together researchers, Food and Drug Administration representatives, and pharmaceutical representatives in a unique forum to discuss new therapies in rheumatology.
2007 Winter Rheumatology Symposium
Each January, rheumatologists from across the country gather in Snowmass, Colo., for a 30-year-old tradition of learning, networking, and skiing at the Winter Rheumatology Symposium. This year attendees can go to more than 20 sessions on topics including treatment dilemmas in systemic vasculitis, eicosinoids, targeting tumor necrosis factor, systemic sclerosis-like diseases, and new RA treatments.