Government Affairs Committee advocates on behalf of the ACR and all rheumatologists
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.
What Has the ACR Done for You Lately?
The world in which we currently practice is not the same one we knew five to 10 years ago. Insurers second-guess our decisions and create numerous hurdles for us to overcome before our patients can be treated. Government agencies are seeking ways to reduce healthcare expenditures and improve what they perceive as a lack of quality and consistency in healthcare delivery. These groups, as well as Congress and employers (who purchase benefits for their employees), have begun a concerted effort to grade rheumatologists on the basis of what they perceive to be quality and efficiency and then pay us according to those criteria.
Neck Pain Patient Fact Sheet
This month we focus on neck pain, a common ailment that affects 10% of the population each year. In some cases the ailment is due to systemic illnesses such as polymyalgia rheumatica or osteoarthritis, but the majority of cases are caused by mechanical disorders such as overuse of the neck or arms.
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.
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.
ACR Legislative Reception
The ACR Government Affairs Committee and ARHP Advocacy Subcommittee met in Washington, DC, on September 26 to discuss current legislative priorities and to participate in their annual legislative reception on Capitol Hill. Committee members and staff exchanged ideas on ways to increase advocacy and political involvement from ACR/ ARHP members. Increasing advocacy is a primary focus for the Government Affairs Committee (GAC) and Advocacy Subcommittee because it is essential that Congress be aware of the magnitude of our concerns.
Student’s Journey to Medicine Starts with Rheumatology
An REF Success Story
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.
New and Updated Patient Education Materials Available
The ACR is continually updating and increasing its collection of patient education materials, or fact sheets. One of the newest fact sheets, “Pregnancy and Rheumatic Disease,” discusses the complex interactions of pregnancy and rheumatic diseases, acceptable medications to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding and helps to define what constitutes a high-risk pregnancy. The fact sheet offers links to additional resources and educational materials.