Novel Rise of Combined Dermatology-Rheumatology Clinics Save
Rheumatology News has a novel online report about combined rheumatology-dermatology clinics. In the last several years, there have been a few of these in operation (Boston, Chicago, Rhode Island).
The article acknowledges that many patients in rheumatology and dermatology practices have crossover features that would benefit from a combined rheumatology-dermatology clinic. Such clinics can greatly enhance the management of patients with lupus, vasculitis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis. Moreover, these clinics have tremendous teaching value to trainees and create novel research opportunities as well. During a typical clinic, staffed by both rheumatologists and dermatologists, targeted patients will see both specialists, commonly at the same time.
Dr. Joseph Merola and a group of researchers (Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Clinic Multicenter Advancement Network -PPACMAN) are studying the impact, strengths, barriers, and challenges to creating these novel combined clinics. Benefits in communication, diagnostics and disease management may outweigh the potential logistic and cost constraints of combining disciplines.
Issues of billing, scheduling, sequence of assessment, etc. still require study. Nevertheless, patients and clinicians have rave reviews for the combined care.
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