Activity Information

The Fundamentals of Rheumatology Course is a series of (10) online learning activities developed to provide foundational knowledge and develop skills needed for professionals new to rheumatology to succeed in clinical practice.  The course provides information on signs, symptoms, and treatments for the most common forms of rheumatic disease, and addresses key areas such as pain management, psychosocial challenges, rehabilitation, and self-management support strategies.  This course is also useful for experienced rheumatology professionals looking for a refresher on these key areas of practice.

*A passing score of 70% or greater on the post-test is required to be eligible to claim CME credits. You can compare your post-test responses to evaluate increased knowledge.

Target Audience

The Fundamentals of Rheumatology Course was created for registered nurses, nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, office staff, physical therapists, pharmacists, physician assistants, primary care physicians, psychologists, research associates, social workers, and students eligible for membership in ARP who have been working in rheumatology for less than two years.

Learning Objectives

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

• Describe the mechanism of action, dosage, and indications for corticosteroids, NSAIDs, conventional and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapies (DMARDs)

• Identify patient safety concerns and potential medication errors associated with therapies used to treat rheumatic diseases

• Evaluate the precautions, contraindications, and warnings involving the use of rheumatologic medications in high risk patients (ie, hepatitis, heart failure, and malignancy)

Registration Information

To purchase this Fundamentals of Rheumatology activity, click Add to Cart, or you can purchase the full Fundamentals of Rheumatology curriculum.

Accreditation Statement

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

Designation Statement

The ACR designates this enduring online activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Health Professionals

Participants may claim hours to receive a Certificate of Participation for an activity designated for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

By completing this activity, you provide the ACR permission to share completion data with the ACCME and the certifying board(s).

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. 

For this educational activity, all conflicts of interest have been resolved through peer review and revisions to ensure independence, evidence based, fair balance, and absence of commercial bias.

Faculty participating in an ACR-sponsored activity must disclose to the editorial team and audience any financial or other relationship(s) including, but not limited to:

1. Stock, stock options or bond holdings in a for-profit corporation or self-directed pension plan
2. Research grants
3. Employment (full or part-time)
4. Ownership or partnership
5. Consulting fees or other remuneration (payment)
6. Non-remunerative positions of influence such as officer, board member, trustee or public spokesperson
7. Receipt of royalties
8. Speakers’ bureau

The faculty reported the following disclosures:

Scientific Editor
Teresa J. Brady, PhD - No relevant financial relationships to disclose
Clarity Consulting and Communications
Atlanta, Georgia

Associate Editor
Debra B. Rizzo, APRN, FNP-BC, MSN - No relevant financial relationships to disclose
University of Michigan Rheumatology
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Author: Jessica Farrell, PharmD – AbbVie⁸; Cumberland Pharmaceuticals^5 8; Gilead Sciences⁵; Jannsen⁵; Pfizer⁸

Editors and Reviewers

Susan Chrostowski, ANP-C, APRN, DNP - No relevant financial relationships to disclose
Emily Delzell - No relevant financial relationships to disclose
Ali Porter, PharmD - No relevant financial relationships to disclose
Debra B. Rizzo, APRN, FNP-BC, MSN - No relevant financial relationships to disclose

*All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.

Online Activity Refund Policy

• Requests for cancellations and refunds must be received in writing to education@rheumatology.org within 24 hours of the online activity enrollment date.
• Completed online activities are not eligible for a refund. 
• Refunds will be subject to an administration fee per person and per activity: 15% for members; 30% for potential members.
• Canceled online activities are nontransferable.