Sir William Osler, a pioneer of modern medical education, taught “medicine is learned by the bedside and not in the classroom.”1 How, then, do we learn medicine in a world dominated by virtual interactions? This question was forced upon us in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. From telemedicine to remote meetings, the rheumatology community…
I have been tongue-tied, of late. When I was a medical student, I was told not to turn the physical examination into an aerobic workout. This sage piece of advice was imparted by my physical examination preceptor, who had watched me perform a complete examination on a hapless volunteer. At the time, I thought of…
New state legislatures face many continuing issues, including budget shortfalls, vaccine distribution problems and strained healthcare infrastructure. However, opportunities exist for significant policy wins for rheumatology, particularly on the issues of step therapy reform, telemedicine and copay accumulators.
In an ACR Convergence session, two rheumatologists discussed how COVID-19 changed the use of telemedicine, how payers reacted and which changes are likely permanent and which are likely to be temporary.
Dr. Schiopu has experienced the COVID-19 pandemic response from both clinical and research perspectives. She recently discussed her experiences with The Rheumatologist.
As the COVID-19 pandemic stretches on, many clinicians are thinking about the lessons they’ve learned. Chris Phillips, MD, says rheumatology practices can no longer take their financial health for granted and flexibility is key.
In rural America, where rheumatology offices are fewer and farther between, the expansion of telemedicine has been a boon during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, lab closures and reduced hospital services have made monitoring patients’ medications more challenging.
Some aspects of community practice are normalizing amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but the financial fallout and the need for increased safety precautions remain challenging.
Pandemic fatigue is affecting rheumatologists and their patients in different ways, says Nilanjana Bose, MD, MBA. But efforts are being made at her clinic to stay positive and ensure quality patient care.
Our hospitals have had their finest hour in the care of acutely ill inpatients during the COVID-19 pandemic, including dealing with allocation decisions fairly and transparently, maximizing good outcomes and remaining cognizant of the enduring ethics of healthcare. The honorable traditions of self-effacing conduct and acceptance of some level of personal risk by healthcare professionals…