Monthly Member Spotlight: The Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals

Even though there is no cure for osteoarthritis, there are ways the patient can manage it with their lifestyle. Rheumatology professionals such as nurses, physician assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and many others, understand the need to balance clinical care with patient self-management. The Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ARHP), a division of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), is an outstanding resource for rheumatology-related education, research, and treatment information designed to help health professionals provide high-quality care for their patients.

This month, we are spotlighting ARHP! We appreciate ARHP’s participation in our efforts to reach healthcare systems and providers with OA education and strategies to optimize pathways of care for patients with OA. Our partnership with ARHP strengthens our respective efforts to provide health professionals with the resources they need to improve patient’s lives.

An Interview with Carole Dodge and The Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals

Carole Dodge, OTRL, CHT, member of the ACR Committee on Finance and a Liaison for RNS and OAAA

1. What is your organization’s interest in the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance?

The missions of Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ARHP), a Division of the American College of Rheumatology, and the OA Action Alliance align nicely with each other to raise awareness through advocacy and to educate rheumatology professionals on Osteoarthritis (OA). By partnering, the opportunities to reach more lives and increase positive outcomes for people with OA become realized.

2. What do you think is the most important issue today related to osteoarthritis?

Determining what the best evidence is for effective treatment to improve quality of life and reduce pain so that patients with OA can remain active. ARHP equips rheumatology professionals with the tools needed to provide quality care for patients with arthritis and rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. To that end, ARHP offers several educational opportunities on Osteoarthritis including:

a. eBytes: 30 minute online educational offerings provide learners:

i. Osteoarthritis: Definitions, Criteria and Epidemiology

ii. Osteoarthritis: Clinical Manifestations

iii. Osteoarthritis 3: Management of Care for Patients

b. Advanced Rheumatology Course (launching December 2018): An online interactive learning activity specific to OA as well as 18 others that touch on adult, pediatrics, and combined tracks.

3. How does your work connect to issues in osteoarthritis?

I am an occupational therapist practicing in hand therapy. A day doesn’t go by that I don’t see someone with OA of the hands. The non-pharmacologic interventions we as therapists teach patients, help them learn to manage their arthritis with less pain so they can do more of what they want to do. ARHP’s Patient & Caregiver Guides, https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver, assist in that education.

4. What is a headline you’d like to see about osteoarthritis in five years?

“Get Moving: Exercise the Best Medicine for Osteoarthritis.”

5. What is one interesting fact you’d like people to know about your organization?

ARHP, as a Division of ACR, is a unique interprofessional organization dedicated to the collaboration between many rheumatology professionals to improve the lives of those with a Rheumatic disease.

Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals
Resources & Events

2018 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting – October 19 – 24 in Chicago, Illinois

Connect with your colleagues for an unmatched educational experience featuring exceptional sessions from leading rheumatology experts. The American College of Rheumatology’s Annual Meeting is your gateway to global rheumatology education.

And make sure to connect with The Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals through The American College of Rheumatology Social Media platforms!

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