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Prescribing Lessons (4.17.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from this past week on RheumNow.com.
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JAMA Guideline on the Management of Crohn Disease
JAMA has published a current Clinical Guidelines Synopsis on the Management of Crohn Disease (CD) in Adults.
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What’s New PsA? (4.3.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and major articles from this week, including FDA safety warnings, reports from AAD, PsA trials.
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Review: Rheumatoid Arthritis–Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
RA-ILD represents the most severe extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis, affecting an estimated 1% of the adult population in the US and Northern Europe.
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ACR Weighs in on APP Loans and Professional Degrees
ACR
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) recently joined with 16 other healthcare organizations to submit comments to the U.S.
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Open-access Arthralgia Clinics
The early diagnosis in inflammatory arthritis (IA), particularly rheumatoid arthritis (RA), hinges on efficient referral and screening of arthralgia patients.
SATISFACTION (2.27.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com.
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Equivalent Healthcare Outcomes by Nurses and Physicians
With increasing demand for health services in an aging population, serving complex patients with comorbidities, and increasing healthcare costs, the question of whether nurses can substitute for physicians was addressed by a recent Cochrane review.
ACR Backs the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act
The ACR thanked lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives for introducing the bipartisan Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2025 (H.R. 8163), legislation designed to stabilize Medicare payments for physicians and https://t.co/15xU3DGD34
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Psychiatrists have the highest Medicare opt-out rate (8% vs 1.2% MDs vs <3% Rheum), leading to a critical shortage of psychiatrists and more antipsychotic management to APRNs and PAs over the last decade. APPs Handle 40% of Antipsychotic Scripts https://t.co/wWnFcnXpRa https://t.co/WSQBEzvxgK
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Spotty Medicare Coverage for Newer Rheumatoid Arthritis Meds
Medicare coverage of targeted disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for RA -- both under Medicare Advantage and in separate Part D plans -- is likely to leave many patients wanting, researchers found. https://t.co/CW6gIHtnIw
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
American Academy of Physician Associates is determined to change PA to mean 'physician associate' in USA. Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon have adopted it, but the AMA is opposed. This has become a legislative, financial and legal issue. https://t.co/u0tejo0lvn https://t.co/1VEbwpqlN8
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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Physician Assistant Workforce Grew 28% in USA (2020 To 2024), reaching 189,188 PAs; increased in every state (lease in Alaska 10%, most in SCarolina 48%,(to 2,984 in 2024). In 2024, there were 55.6 PAs/100,000 population https://t.co/VdXP3aM3ga https://t.co/qin2zfuUZe
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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Equivalent Healthcare Outcomes by Nurses and Physicians
With increasing demand for health services in an aging population, serving complex patients with comorbidities, and increasing healthcare costs, the question of whether nurses can substitute for physicians was addressed by https://t.co/nKsFn7pUgw
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Should I become a physician or physician assistant/associate? Practical overview from US News. KEY QUESTIONS: 1) which is harder to get into? 2) Career flexibility? 3) Work-Life balance? 4) Which fits for you? Both are a lifelong commitment to patient care. https://t.co/szv1nUmkYQ
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
AMA survey of 502 nurse practitioners (95% work on a MD-led team - 88% were satisfied; Half very satisfied working w/ MDs. 94% valued physician mentorship; 89% cited patient safety as a key benefit to physician-led care; and 88% listed liability protection as a key benefit. https://t.co/SVvr3XEQSz
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
American College of Chest Physicians has announced that advanced practice providers (APPs) can earn the CHEST Critical Care Advanced Practice Provider (CCAPP) designation; CCAPP Certification exam designed to validate clinical competence & Enhanced credibility/recognition https://t.co/Ip6YMjwOBc
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Study shows half of FL autonomous nurse practitioners practicing outside their scope of practice. FL law allows autonomous NPs in primary care w/ 3K practice hrs. 194/328 NPs working in non-primary care: cosmetics, antiaging, IV hydration, vitamin infusions, hormonal Rx, https://t.co/WMksEb0Uyc
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
