Are Rheums Attending ACR 2020? Save

Jack Cush, MD

Oct 30, 2020 1:53 pm

ACR 2020 (aka ACR Convergence) is just around the corner, with the opening ceremonies and lecture starting Thursday, November 5th; followed by the full meeting beginning the next morning, Friday November 6th.

But wait.... no one's going, it's all virtual and how will this go down?

Good news is that the ACR has been toiling for months to devise a virtual meeting that has all the familiar elements and sessions, but will tackle the difficulties of virtual learning. By the way, how well has that worked for your home schooled kids and your work zoom meetings? Have you mastered it or become a zoombie?

We just completed a survey of 447 Rheumatologists, asking about how they intend to consume and partake in the ACR 2020 (#ACR20) meeting. The take away is that nearly 2/3 of rheums intend to consume the ACR meeting – 41% live and 23% will do it asynchronously (after hours). The good news is that nearly two-thirds of rheumatologists are registered for the meeting!

One-third of rheums are not registered, not into virtual learning and there seems to be roughly 20% who just won't go, won't watch. Only one-third (37%) have taken time off to attend/watch the meeting; which means that most Rheums will have to squeeze our learning in over the weekend, after hours, while walking the dog, etc.

From this analysis we believe there are a few types of new virtual "learners" amongst us:

The Tigers (willing to hunt and consume the old fashion way);
The Creators (willing to blaze new trails with after work laptop learning) and
The Dabblers (not into the meal, uncertain about the hors d'oeuvres).

The good news is that RheumNows coverage of ACR 2020 will allow you to learn as you wish. We have several new (and old) features in our coverage for you to consider - so here are our recommendations, based on your learner type:

Learner Type	Character Traits	RheumNow Coverage Suggestions You Should sign up for
The Tigers	Wanting to hunt & consume the old fashion way	ACR website, follow #ACR20 and #ACRbest tweets, "Topic reports" Rheumatology Roundup (Cush & Kavanaugh)
The Creators	Willing to blaze new trails in virtual learning	ACR-IQ, ACR Topic Chat, ACR Virtual Playbook, Perspective videos, RheumNow ACR Podcasts, "Topic reports"
The Dabblers	Not into the meal, maybe some hors d'oeuvres?	ACR-IQ, Year in review, Midmeeting Recap Saturday night (11/7), Rheumatology Roundup (Mon 11/9-Cush & Kavanaugh)

ACR IQ - this is a new daily "quiz" wherein you can test what you know about what just happened at #ACR20 (changes daily; on our homepage)

ACR Topic Chat - this will be located on all of our RheumNow webpages during the meeting - engage in topic talk about RA, AS, SpA, PsA, Gout, Biologics and Still's disease

ACR Virtual Playbook - This has been redone this year and will be feature on our website as the "Download" (sign in to down load)

"ACR Best" tweets - our reporters will be tweeting all that is important; but when they find exceptional content they will use the #ACRbest hashtage

Top 5 of the day lists - Look for these daily

Perspective videos - that will feature leaders in the field, addressing trends, impact and what is novel about this years ACR

Midmeeting Recap - On 11/6, Saturday night Drs. Jack Cush and Artie Kavanaugh will recap the meetings progress with highlights from our faculty

Rheumatology Roundup - On Monday evening, 11/8, Don't miss it as Kavanaugh and Cush recap the meeting, just as they have for the past 14 years!

Below are the results and our impressions of the 5 questions posed to 447 Rheumatologists (you can also checkout the results on our survey page.)

1. Should I stay or should I go (virtual)?

Question 1. How will you consume Virtual ACR 2020 next week?
I will be online live	41%	The good news is that nearly 2/3 of rheums intend to consume the ACR meeting – 41% live and 23% will do it asynchronously (after hours). One-third (36%) are just not into it, with some of you maybe, possibly, might could look at some of the meeting. (or are you waiting for others to tell you what you missed?)
I’ll go after hours to learn	23%
I'll watch/read a fraction of the meeting	19%
I won’t go or watch	17%

2. Rheums vote with their feet…

Question 2. Are you registered for next weeks ACR Convergence 2020?
Yes	64%	Again 2/3 registered. 1/3 not registered.
No	33%
Undecided	4%

3. How will you learn?

Question 3. Where will you get your ACR content/learning?
The ACR website	54%	More than half (54%) intend to get on line and dig around for the best sessions, abstracts, videos and meet ups. Almost half (54%) intend to get their content from other sources, with RheumNow coverage leading the way (33%).
RheumNow	33%
Other internet sources	6%
Peers, meetings later	5%
Pharma sales reps	2%

4. Dealing with “Virtual”

Question 4. Will the "Virtual" aspect of ACR 2020 affect you?
Very little - looking forward to it	44%	Virtual learning is a “negative” for most with 1/3 not enjoying it or using it less; and 23% abstaining. Onlly 44% plan to meet the challenge of learning from a virtual congress meeting
I wont enjoy it, will use it less	33%
Won't go; virtual is not for me	16%
I dont usually attend ACR meetings	7%

5. All work and no learn, makes Dr. Rheum…..

Question 5. Are you taking off work to attend ACR 2020?
No/Can't	55%	This years meeting days are different (to accommodate virtual learning) but falls on 2 work days (Friday and Monday). Only 1/3 of Rheums (37%) are taking off work to take in the ACR meeting; the majority cannot (55%).
Yes	37%
Only 1 day	6%
Unsure	3%