The REF ensures the future of rheumatology by ensuring that there are well-trained rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals to provide quality care. To achieve this, REF maintains an extensive award and grant program with research, training, and education opportunities for medical students, fellows, clinicians, researchers, health professionals, and academic institutions.
The ACR/CHEST ILD Guidelines in Practice, a video
In collaboration with the American College of Chest Physicians, the ACR released two new comprehensive guidelines aimed at improving the screening, monitoring, and treatment of patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) secondary to systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs). Recently, Sindhu R. Johnson, MD, PhD, professor of medicine at the University of Toronto, Canada, director of the Toronto Scleroderma Program and principal investigator for the guideline, and Elana J. Bernstein, MD, MSc, Florence Irving associate professor of medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at Columbia University, New York City, and co-first author, presented a webinar to talk about how the guidelines were developed and present some of the recommendations and their rationale: Watch the recording now!
ACR REF Launches ‘Within Our Reach’
The ACR Research and Education Foundation (REF) has launched “Within Our Reach,” a national, multiyear, $30-million fundraising campaign aimed at accelerating innovative research on rheumatoid arthritis. RA—long considered one of the most disabling types of arthritis—has been a primary focus of rheumatologic research. Recent advances in the basic management of RA include targeted treatments and improvements in treating other types of inflammatory arthritis. Unfortunately, we still do not know the cause of RA or have a cure.
ACR State-of-the-Art Clinical Symposium
Join the ACR in Chicago April 13–15 for the 2007 State-of-the-Art Clinical Symposium. The symposium will start with a focus on lupus with presentations on pathophysiology, trial metrics, and a review of recently completed clinical trials. Saturday afternoon will include an update on several diseases including Sjögren’s syndrome, fibromyalgia, pediatric vasculitis, and myositis. Following RA presentations Sunday morning, the symposium will conclude with the always-popular “Year in Review” presentation.
Keep ACR at the Table
Without your help, ACR will lose its clout at the AMA
Your Representatives on Capitol Hill
Government Affairs Committee advocates on behalf of the ACR and all rheumatologists
Science from our Sisters
Recommended reading from A&R and AC&R
Reading Rhuem
Handpicked Reviews of Contemporary Literature
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.”
Legislative Priorities in 2007
In 2007, the ACR Government Affairs Committee will focus on correcting the Medicare reimbursement formula, countering increased cuts to diagnostic imaging, and the enactment of the Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act. Increasing advocacy among ACR members will also be a top priority.
A Helping Hand for Arthritis Discovery
Arthritis Foundation supports studies and the researchers behind them