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
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 )
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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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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
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 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.
https://t.co/CGrXSCrp9n https://t.co/wYkb6C1IEW
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UK NHS has cut use of physician associates over ‘substitute doctor’ fear. The reduction in roles is being blamed by union leaders for an increasing in waiting times and consultants’ workload. Plus 76% of PAs said their scope of practice had been restricted in recent months. GMC https://t.co/i0l4x9UVhZ
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PA Assn President position on DES/gov Proposed Rule on Federal Student Loans "... loan rule is deeply flawed, outside the Dept’s authority...inconsistent w/.. Trumps rural healthcare workforce priorities.. excluding PAs will decimate US healthcare workforce pipeline" https://t.co/p5owv3Ui2B
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Advanced Practice Rheum: Methotrexate
https://t.co/PHAFWBG4gJ https://t.co/p9cMqT4nhR
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Assess Reproductive Health in SLE Clinic Visits
Due to the complexity of SLE, rheumatology providers should take an active role in assessing reproductive health, providing education on how SLE may affect pregnancy, and taking a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach with the patient’s gynecologist.
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Medicare Primary Care Shortage - betw 2013 -2021, PCPs decr 25%, while APPs rose 91%. 2021 AVAILABILITY per 10,000 Medicare beneficiaries; - Total clinicians: 23.4 to 22.2 (–5%) - Total new visits: 1162 to 1102 (–5%) - Total PCPs: 20.0 to 15.5 (–22%) - APPs: 3.4 to 6.7 (+97%) https://t.co/ALQI3O3Ian
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Nurse Practitioner Independence
A JAMA Viewpoint article reports on a March 2025 Nurse Practitioner (NP) Entrepreneurship Summit in Boston in March 2025 identifying barriers and opportunities to NP-owned medical practices.
https://t.co/rkzLwhnNYh https://t.co/bxJWptPQK9
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2024 Cardiology Income Survey - CV APP salary has incr 15% from 2019 -23, median=$123K - 50% of APP programs lead by an APP >90% work in outpt. clinics - 2/3 of prgs deploy APPs lipid & prevention management - 2 APPs for every 3 cardiologists https://t.co/gtdm5qN1qD https://t.co/cx2JUcw4U3
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Recent Blogs
Master the dos and don'ts of ordering RF, CCP (ACPA), and inflammatory markers that could transform your diagnostic accuracy.
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