2024 Convergence Today Preview - 15

Washington, D.C. | November 14-19, 2024
ACR Convergence Today | Preview Edition
AMPC CHAIR, CONTINUED FROM COVER
the broad category of rheumatic disease.
This would include physicians, PhDs,
ARNPs, PAs, OTs/PTs, social workers,
etc. We are also interested in providing
networking at ACR Convergence to
foster collaboration and connection to
accelerate the forward movement of the
field of rheumatology. "
In addition to a full slate of activities
in the Networking Lounges, ACR
Convergence will feature " Active Learning
Sessions, " where audience participation
will be integral to the learning experience.
These include From Idea to Impact:
Transforming Educational Projects
Into Scholarly Success on Nov. 16 and
From Canvas to Clinic: How Visual Arts
Enhance Rheumatology Education on
Nov. 17.
" I am interested in bringing more
opportunities for active learning to ACR
Convergence, the type of learning that
fosters attendee reflection and helps
incorporate new ideas and concepts
into the clinic and laboratory, " said Dr.
Gardner, emeritus professor in the
Division of Rheumatology at the University
of Washington.
To this end, faculty will have the
unique opportunity to receive guidance
on current principles of teaching and
learning to foster active learning in a
large group setting. A medical educator
will review presentations and provide
feedback if desired. This important effort
is being led by Kirsten Koons, MD, Jay
Mehta, MD, MS, and Andrew Vreede,
MD, members of the AMPC Quality
Improvement in Learning and Teaching
(QuILT) group.
" We anticipate that our effort to address
teaching quality will make the sessions
more impactful and improve information
transfer at ACR Convergence, " Dr. Gardner
said. " I am very appreciative of the efforts
of our QuILT group. "
Meet the Professor sessions will return
to the program by popular demand after
an absence of several years. These smallgroup,
interactive sessions with leaders
in the field of rheumatology require
additional registration with a fee, and
attendance is capped at 24 participants
each. More than three dozen sessions are
available Nov. 16-18.
The Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
(MSUS) Course also will return for the first
time since 2019. The two options, Basic/
Intermediate Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
Course and Advanced Rheumatologic
(Multisystem) Ultrasound Course, will be
offered over two days, Nov. 14-15, as
advance programming courses. As of this
writing, both courses are sold out and
offer a waiting list.
Meet the Editors events, starting at
8 a.m. on Nov. 18 in the Networking
Lounges, will give attendees the
opportunity to discuss the ins and
outs of medical publishing with editors
including Daniel H. Solomon, MD, MPH,
editor of Arthritis & Rheumatology, and
Joseph S. Smolen, MD, editor of Annals
of Rheumatic Diseases.
GET THE MOST
OUT OF YOUR ACR
CONVERGENCE
EXPERIENCE
As a veteran of ACR
Convergence, Annual Meeting
Planning Committee Chair
Gregory C. Gardner, MD, MACP,
offers these
tips to attendees:
Don't try to do too much.
" There is so much to learn at
ACR Convergence. Review the
program beforehand, identify
the must-sees and must-dos,
and then realize that session
recordings will be available on
demand after the meeting to
review at your convenience.
In addition, take advantage of
networking opportunities to
develop new connections and
collaborations. "
Take time to explore the
host city.
" Washington, D.C., has so
much to offer, especially the
Smithsonian museums. "
* Integrating AI into Rheumatology
Education: A New Frontier for
Trainees and Educators on Nov. 19
As part of the advance offerings on
Nov. 15, the Basic and Clinical Research
Conference, this year focused on the
cardiometabolic aspects of rheumatologic
diseases, and the Review Course are
high-interest sessions year after year.
The Review Course will showcase
developments in areas including
calcinosis in connective tissue diseases,
metabolic bone disease, sarcoidosis,
rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis,
geriatric concerns, pain management, and
oral ulcers.
The Global Rheumatology Summit and
FIT Program on Nov. 14 and the Radiology
Bootcamp on Nov. 15 round out the
advance programming.
Additional attendee favorites
include:
* Knowledge Bowl competition for
rheumatology fellows on Nov. 16 and
17.
* Thieves Market interactive case-solving
sessions, one each for pediatric and
adult clinicians, on Nov. 17 and 18,
respectively. Thieves Market posters will
be on display Nov. 16-18.
* Great Debate sessions on Nov. 17. The
pediatric-focused debate will address
therapy for systemic juvenile idiopathic
arthritis (JIA) lung disease, and the
adult-focused debate will discuss mixed
connective tissue disease (MCTD).
There is also an all-new Workforce
and Education debate, on Nov. 16,
focused on whether the duration
of rheumatology training should be
competency-based.
AMPC
CHAIR
GREGORY C.
GARDNER,
MD, MACP
Guideline sessions featuring updates
on evidence-based diagnostic and
therapeutic approaches to rheumatic
diseases are additional programming
highlights, along with learning
opportunities on emerging technology
shaping healthcare.
" Every year the theme is the latest
advances in the science and practice of
rheumatology, but we will have several
sessions exploring artificial intelligence (AI)
and its impact on our field, " Dr. Gardner
said. " It is a hot topic beyond medicine,
and I think there is still a lot of uncertainty
regarding AI. "
AI-themed sessions include:
* Harnessing the Power of AI in
Rheumatology Without Getting
Burned on Nov. 16
* ARP Distinguished Lecture: AI in
Rheumatology Practice - Unpacking
the Toolkit on Nov. 17
* AI: The Next Breakthrough in
Documentation for Rheumatology on
Nov. 17
Some of the scientific sessions will
incorporate interactive software to poll
attendees and facilitate interaction
between the faculty and audience.
" While this technology has been used at
ACR Convergence in the past, we will be
experimenting with new software this year
and hope to use it more broadly in the
future if all goes well, " Dr. Gardner said.
However, the educational experience
extends beyond the scientific sessions.
" The poster sessions are a must-attend
activity overflowing with learning and
networking, " Dr. Gardner said.
For more details on the scientific
sessions and other activities at ACR
Convergence 2024, visit rheumatology.org/
annual-meeting-program.
" I have been a rheumatologist for
35 years, and during my career, I
have seen some profound changes in
our understanding and treatment of
rheumatic diseases. Many, if not all, of
these amazing advances I first learned
about were at the ACR annual meeting
we now call ACR Convergence, " Dr.
Gardner said. " The pace of the advances
is quickening due to the efforts of our
researchers, and I am excited to learn
about the breakthroughs that will impact
my patients in the near future. " *
15
ACR PRESIDENT,
CONTINUED FROM COVER
research, publishing more papers on this
topic than any other specialty. This event
is a must-attend for anyone looking to
enhance their skills and stay abreast of
the latest advancements in rheumatology
ultrasound techniques.
What themes will be given special
emphasis this year?
Dr. Desir: We've significantly increased
our focus on artificial intelligence (AI) in
rheumatology. We recognize that AI has
become a pervasive element in various
aspects of life and are eager to explore how
we can leverage this technology beneficially
within our specialty. Our sessions will
delve into the integration of AI in clinical
documentation and educational methods in
rheumatology, featuring insights from the
ARP Distinguished Lecturer dedicated to
this evolving topic.
Additionally, we will continue to provide
critical updates on reproductive health,
a topic that remains highly relevant
for clinicians, particularly in light of the
current challenges in delivering effective
healthcare. These updates aim to equip
attendees with the latest insights and
strategies to improve patient outcomes in
this essential area of care.
Is there anything else about ACR
Convergence 2024 that you would
like to highlight?
Dr. Desir: ACR Convergence 2024 promises
to be an outstanding event, with several
compelling reasons to register and
participate. One of the most significant
highlights is the return of large in-person
audiences, reflecting the strong and
growing interest across the rheumatology
care team. The excitement and energy
of live, face-to-face interactions are
irreplaceable and greatly enhance learning
and networking experiences.
We hope the East Coast location will
bring even more of the rheumatology
community together! Our venue is not only
accessible but also situated in a vibrant
area that provides additional attractions
and amenities to our attendees.
Additionally, ACR Convergence 2024 will
continue offering unparalleled educational
content access. Attendees will still get access
to over 200 session recordings for an entire
year - that's a unique offering, and one we
have heard is valuable to our community.
This extended access allows healthcare
professionals to learn at their own pace and
review critical information as needed, greatly
enhancing the value of attending.
Whether you're looking to stay on the
cutting edge of rheumatology research,
eager to reconnect with peers, or
interested in an in-person experience with
extended access to session recordings,
ACR Convergence 2024 is designed to
meet your professional needs. This unique
blend of opportunities makes it a mustattend
event for professionals within the
field. *
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