Focus Rheums| ACR Convergence 2024 Previews

An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

Articles tagged with "patient care"

Letter: Another Thinking Discipline

Walter Doege, MD  |  

I read today the article “How a Rheumatologist Thinks” and I want to say that is one of the most interesting articles I’ve read about clinical medicine.

The Mystery of IVIg

Eveline Wu, MD, Michael M. Frank, MD  |  

Although initially given as replacement therapy for patients with primary and secondary immunodeficiency states, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has proven to be effective in the treatment of various autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. This success has led to a dramatic increase in the use of IVIg, with its use as an antiinflammatory agent now vastly surpassing its use in the treatment of immunodeficiencies. Even so, the basis for the antiinflammatory activity of IVIg remains unclear.

Pain is a Tricky Thing to Treat, or Even Evaluate

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Rheumatology is such a gratifying and emotionally rewarding medical specialty. There is no better feeling than helping patients with conditions whose proper diagnosis and management have eluded other practitioners. A patient with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) presents with pain, and a major clinical tenet of DISH has been its lack of association with pain.

Gout – Rheumatology’s Royal Pain

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Gout is a common rheumatic disease often characterized by swelling, redness, and intense pain in the big toe. Once thought to be an exclusive disease of the wealthy who overindulged in food and spirits, gout has become a royal pain for millions of Americans.

Patient Fact Sheet – Gout

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Gout is a painful and potentially disabling form of arthritis that has been recognized since ancient times. Treatments are available to control most cases of gout, but diagnosing this disorder can be difficult, and treatment plans often have to be tailored for each person.

A Journey Begins with the First Step

David I. Daikh, MD, PhD  |  

The ACR Research and Education Foundation (REF) has launched the Action Alliance network, a program that calls on rheumatologists, investigators, and health professionals to join the REF in asking patients and families to be a part of the conversation. The Action Alliance consists of two programs working together: From the Field Speakers Bureau and Patients and Families for Progress.

Optimize Patient Scheduling

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Optimizing patient schedules is a continuous process that is critical to physician efficiency and satisfied patients. Taking inventory of the scheduling trends in your practice can have a positive influence on tackling appointment templates, which determines patient flow that affects your revenue.