On-Demand CME: Rheumatoid Arthritis

The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians, in partnership with the New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians (NJAFP), is offering free enduring continuing medical education on Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

The program, A Narrow Window of Opportunity: Diagnosis and Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Underserved Populations, is available on the NJAFP website.

RA is a chronic autoimmune disorder that is typically characterized by pain and inflammation in the small joints. If untreated, RA may introduce complications that impact the lungs, eyes, bones, and heart. Affecting an estimated 1.3 million U.S. adults,^{1, 2} RA represents the most common type of autoimmune arthritis.³ Analysis of self-reported National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2005-18 indicates a significant difference in RA prevalence among people from different races, educational levels, and poverty-income ratio groups.¹

Proactively treating RA will improve the quality of life for patients with the disorder, and many patients who experience symptoms of RA will visit their primary care clinician for treatment.

The NJAFP assembled a panel of experts to improve patient outcomes by increasing primary care clinicians’ knowledge, comprehension, and performance in managing RA, especially when treating underserved populations. This program reviews current literature and guidelines and provides recommendations for using pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic modalities to develop successful, personalized management plans for patients who report symptoms of RA.

1. Recognize signs and symptoms suggestive of RA
2. Determine when to refer patients with RA to a rheumatologist
3. Develop a comfort level in prescribing disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
4. Help patients understand their disease and engage in shared decision-making
5. Use motivational interviewing to recognize patients’ concerns
6. Recognize and mitigate implicit bias to build a culture of equity in their practice.

To learn and participate in this program, please visit the NJAFP website.

References available on the NJAFP website.