Quiz Talk (5.22.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush talks of birthdays, Quizzes and journal articles this week on the podcast.
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Advanced Practice Rheum: Fibromyalgia
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Influential Rheumatoid Factors (5.8.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from this past week on RheumNow.com
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American Nurses Assoc. response to Dept of Education’s Final Rule on Graduate Loans for nurses: "..profoundly dismayed by DoE exclusion of nursing from....“professional degree” programs... this ignores the voices of over 245,000 nurses and nurse advocates https://t.co/WEYdiO9x4n https://t.co/3wxOwDBHVg
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4/30/26 US Dept of Education finalized is rule on Grad loans "Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE)" that will markedly cut Federal Grad loans for nurses, nurse practitioner (NP) and physician associate (PA) training. https://t.co/kdm0ZLZfnL https://t.co/OGr3BEYga7
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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
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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. Prevalence estimates vary widely (up to 58%), reflecting different diagnostic criteria, imaging modalities, and study
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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
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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
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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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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. Department of Education (ED) in response to its proposal to exclude nurses, physician assistants, physical therapists, and social workers, among other crucial
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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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Open-access Arthralgia Clinics
The early diagnosis in inflammatory arthritis (IA), particularly rheumatoid arthritis (RA), hinges on efficient referral and screening of arthralgia patients. Yet most rheumatology practices are ill equipped or don't
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
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SATISFACTION (2.27.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com.
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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
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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
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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.
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
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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
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ANA Pollution (2.06.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal articles and regulatory news from this past week on RheumNow.com
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Hiring, Onboarding and Training APPs
Tuesday Night Rheumatology: Hiring, Onboarding and Training APPs. Visit our Mission APP: Partners in Care site for more APP-focused articles and videos.
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