ARC02: Framework for Clinical Decision Making in Rheumatology


Activity Overview




The Advanced Rheumatology Course is a19-activity series for advanced practice providers and other professionals whoneed a deeper dive into rheumatology. The series covers how to assess and manage patients with rheumaticdisease, develop strategies to integrate NP/PAs into rheumatology practice, andimprove access to care for patients. The advanced information will helpexperienced practice providers function well in rheumatology and fosterinter-professional collaboration. 

In this activity, learn to generate comprehensive frameworks for clinical decision-making, which will enable you to effectively navigate your daily tasks in the rheumatology clinic.




Advanced RheumatologyCourse Series

This activity is part of a series. See the otheractivities in the series below.



Registrationis discounted for ACR/ARP members. If you are not a member, considerjoining ACR/ARP.




Target Audience

Advanced practice nurses and physician assistants. Fellows-in training, residents, students, primary care providers, physical therapists, and researchers may also benefit.



Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to: 


  • Screen patients with pain in order to classify them into three classes, which include inflammatory arthropathies, degenerative and mechanical arthropathies, and nonarticular and central pain processing disorders

  • Perform a complete medical history, including assessment of a chief complaint, history of present illness, past medical history, family history, social history, use of therapeutics, and review of systems

  • Conduct a general physical exam for patients with suspected rheumatic disorders

  • Examine patients with suspected rheumatic disorders including the basic components of a musculoskeletal examination such as inspection/appearance, palpation, range of motion, and functional assessment

  • Outline a differential diagnosis to create a framework for clinical decision making for patients with rheumatic disorders

  • Spot worrisome ‘red flags’ for patients with rheumatic disorders





CE & MOC Information

ACCME Accreditation Statement

The American College of Rheumatology is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.


AMA Designation Statement

The American College of Rheumatology designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.


See the ACR's CME Mission Statement. For more information, download the AMA PRA Booklet.


CME credit must be claimed by August 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.



Financial Relationship Disclosures

ACR Disclosure Statement

It is the policy of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) to ensure that Continuing Medical Education (CME) activities are independent and free of commercial bias. To ensure educational content is objective, balanced, and guarantee content presented is in the best interest of its learners' and the public, the ACR requires that everyone in a position to control educational content disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies within the prior 24 months. An ineligible company is one whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. Examples can be found at accme.org.

In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, ACR has implemented mechanisms prior to the planning and implementation of this CME activity to identify and mitigate all relevant financial relationships for all individuals in a position to control the content of this CME activity.


Natureof Financial Relationships

Allindividuals that participate in an ACR-sponsored activity and are able tochange content or influence the content of the activity must disclose to theplanning committee and audience all financial or other relationships withineligible companies including, but not limited to: 


  1. Advisor or review panel member

  2. Consultant

  3. Employee

  4. Officer or Board Member

  5. Grant/research support

  6. Speaker/honoraria includes speaker’s bureau, symposia, and expertwitness

  7. Independent contractor

  8. Executive role and/or ownership interest

  9. Royalties and/or patent beneficiary

  10. Intellectual property/patents

  11. Stock options or bond holdings in a for-profit corporation orself-directed pension plan

  12. Private investigator

  13. Expert witness

  14. Equity interest

  15. Other: specify details


None: Has no relevant financialrelationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

All participants that createdand/or were able to influence the content and delivery of this activity reportedthe following disclosures. All of the relevant financial relationships listedhave been mitigated.


Author


  • Megan Lockwood, MD - No relevant financial relationships to disclose




Editors and Reviewers

  • Jennifer Grossman, MD - No relevant financial relationships to disclose

  • Anneke Smith – No relevant financial relationships to disclose

  • Sonam Kiwalkar, MD – No relevant financial relationships to disclose





Acknowledgement of Commercial Support

The project was supported by Grant number 1 NU58DP006908-03-00 – Component A; Developing and Disseminating Programs to Build Sustainable Lupus Awareness, Knowledge, Skills and Partnerships. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


Educational Activity Policies

See ACR educational activity policies, including the online enduring activity refund policy.