Activity OverviewThe Fundamentals of Rheumatology Course is a series of 10 activities that provide foundational knowledge and help develop skills that professionals new to rheumatology need to succeed in clinical practice. An understanding of medications used to treat rheumatic diseases is essential. Learn more about indications, dosages, patient safety concerns, potential medication errors, and mechanisms of action for corticosteroids, NSAIDs, and conventional and biologic DMARDS.Fundamentals of Rheumatology CourseThis activity is part of a series. See the other activities in the series below.Fundamentals of Rheumatology Course - All ActivitiesActivity 1 –  Discover the Basics: Immunology, Autoimmunity, and InflammationActivity 2 – Explore Systemic Inflammatory Diseases in Adults and ChildrenActivity 3 –  Differentiate Non-Inflammatory Conditions: Osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia, and Soft Tissue DisordersActivity 4 –  Assess your Patient with Rheumatic DiseaseActivity 5 –  Address Psychosocial Impact to Enhance Patient OutcomesActivity 6 –  Counsel your Patient on Rheumatology MedicationsActivity 7 –  Help Your Patient Manage Their PainActivity 8 –  Use Rehabilitation to Improve Your Patient’s Function, Fatigue, and PainActivity 9 –  Stimulate and Support Your Patient’s Self-ManagementActivity 10 –  Optimize Care for Your Pediatric PatientRegistration is complimentary for ACR/ARP members. If you are not a member, consider joining ACR/ARP.Target AudienceProfessionals looking to expand their understanding of interdisciplinary rheumatology care: nurses, occupational therapists, office managers and staff, physical therapists, pharmacists, pharmacologists, practice administrators, psychologists, researchers, social workers and community health workers, epidemiologists, health educators, health services researchers, medical assistants, rheumatology interprofessionals, and students.Experienced professionals may also find the activity to be a helpful review.Learning ObjectivesUpon completion of this activity, participants should be able to: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 diseasesEvaluate the precautions, contraindications, and warnings involving the use of rheumatologic medications in high risk patients (i.e., hepatitis, heart failure, and malignancy)CE & MOC InformationCMEACCME Accreditation StatementThe American College of Rheumatology is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. See the ACR's CME Mission Statement. For more information, download the AMA PRA Booklet.AMA Designation StatementThe American College of Rheumatology designates this Enduring Material for a maximum of 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.CME credit must be claimed by June 24, 2028, at 11:59 PM ET.Financial Relationship DisclosuresACR Disclosure StatementIt 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.  Nature of Financial RelationshipsAll individuals that participate in an ACR-sponsored activity and are able to change content or influence the content of the activity must disclose to the planning committee and audience all financial or other relationships with ineligible companies including, but not limited to:Advisor or review panel memberConsultantEmployeeOfficer or Board MemberGrant/research supportSpeaker/honoraria includes speaker’s bureau, symposia, and expert witnessIndependent contractorExecutive role and/or ownership interestRoyalties and/or patent beneficiaryIntellectual property/patentsStock options or bond holdings in a for-profit corporation or self-directed pension planPrivate investigatorExpert witnessEquity interestOther: specify details None: Has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose. All participants that created and/or were able to influence the content and delivery of this activity reported the following disclosures. All of the relevant financial relationships listed have been mitigated. FRC Relaunch 2025 Financial Relationship Disclosures.Acknowledgement of Commercial SupportNo commercial support was provided for this activity.See industry engagement opportunities and benefits of supporting the ACR.Educational Activity PoliciesSee ACR educational activity policies, including the online enduring activity refund policy.