2015 Rheumatology Year in Review
Was 2015 a good year for psoriasis, IL-17, biosimilars, narcotics, the ACR and gout? Our year end review discusses the most impactful news and research from the last 12 months.
Blogs
Leading With Questions
I find it interesting that when the Q&A part of the lecture begins, everyone acts as if they just got on the elevator. Who is willing to go out on a limb and ask the first question? Is Q&A the best or worst part of lectures that you attend? What can you do change the impact of your next Q&A experience?
TIPS for Arthritis Travelers (Best of 2015: #3)
Travel can be challenging for arthritis patients. Here are some useful tips to travel smoothly and pain free.
The Ill-Conceived Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia
Notalgia, Lyme disease in Texas and still wearing your hospital ID bracelet? You may have been misdiagnosed and instead have fibromyalgia!
Writing Effective Appeal Letters
Getting the right drug to the right patient isn’t quite as easy as it should be. Here's a collection of appeal trench war musings and tactics with a sample letter for all to use.
What Happened to Science in Medicine?
Have crony capitalism and medical administrators overtaken science, logic and common sense in healthcare? Dr. John Goldman reviews some recent developments with some misgivings.
Building a Better Rheumatologist
Are you efficient, productive and accurate in what you do? Could you be better? Or do the job differently?
Should Lupus Patients Receive Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccines?
I have a 21 yr. old lupus nephritis patient on mycophenolate, hydroxychloroquine and prednisone 40 mg per day. She says both her current nephrologist and her prior pediatric rheumatologist told her NOT to get pneumococcal and flu vaccines. I thought she is supposed to get them - any comment?
The Dying Hospital Consult
Hospital consults – “nobody goes there anymore”, and not because it’s too crowded (a quote from the late great Yogi Berra), but rather because it’s a poor investment of time and resources.
Jiffy Joint and Rheumatology Retail Clinics
The American College of Physicians issued a position statement about medical clinics popping up inside of retail establishments and pharmacies. For years now I’ve schemed of starting a national chain of “Jiffy Joints”. Is it time?
Drug Safety Risk Communication: The 800 lb Gorilla Approach
Discussions on drug safety can be as treacherous as quicksand for the patient and physician. What the physician knows and what the patient perceives may not be in sync.
Hydrocodone: Then and Now
Today marks the one year anniversary of hydrocodone becoming a schedule II drug with more restrictive access. Has life been better under these new rules?
