Activity OverviewThe Advanced Rheumatology Course is a 19-activity series for advanced practice providers and other professionals who need a deeper dive into rheumatology. The series covers how to assess and manage patients with rheumatic disease, develop strategies to integrate NP/PAs into rheumatology practice, and improve access to care for patients. The advanced information will help experienced practice providers function well in rheumatology and foster inter-professional collaboration. In this activity, review the basic framework of the musculoskeletal system and explore the key principles of immune system operation and autoimmunity.Advanced Rheumatology Course SeriesThis activity is part of a series. See the other activities in the series below.Advanced Rheumatology Course: All ActivitiesActivity 1: Musculoskeletal Structure And Function And Inflammation And ImmunityActivity 2: Framework for Clinical Decision Making in RheumatologyActivity 3: Laboratory Evaluation of Rheumatic DiseaseActivity 4: Imaging of ArthritisActivity 5: Coding And Practice IssuesActivity 6: Therapeutic Interventions And ResourcesActivity 7: OsteoarthritisActivity 8: RA and Seronegative Inflammatory ArthropathiesActivity 9: Systemic Lupus ErythematosusActivity 10: Systemic Inflammatory Conditions: Inflammatory MyopathyActivity 11: Vasculitis, Arteritis and PMRActivity 12: Crystal-Induced ArthropathiesActivity 13: Pain SyndromesActivity 14: SpondylarthritisActivity 15: Infection-Related ArthritisActivity 16: Osteoporosis And Other Metabolic Bone DisordersActivity 17: Comprehensive Overview of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)Activity 18: Comprehensive Overview of Pediatric Connective Tissue Diseases (CTD)Activity 19: Pediatric Noninflammatory Musculoskeletal PainRegistration is discounted for ACR/ARP members. If you are not a member, consider joining ACR/ARP. Target AudienceAdvanced practice nurses, physician assistants, Rheumatology fellows-in training, residents, students, primary care providers and researchers may also benefit.Learning ObjectivesUpon completion of this activity, participants should be able to: Describe the structure and function of bone, skeletal muscle, articular cartilage, and connective tissueClassify the different types of synovial joints and periarticular tissuesArticulate the structure and clinical relevance of functional and dysfunctional endotheliumIdentify the principal cells and functions of the innate and adaptive immune systemsDescribe the physiologic processes in inflammation, immunity, and immune dysregulationDiscuss the impact of evolving knowledge of molecular biology on the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases CE & MOC InformationACCME Accreditation StatementThe American College of Rheumatology is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.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. 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 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 Relationships All 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 detailsNone: 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. Authors/PlannersKenneth S. O’Rourke, MD - No relevant financial relationships to discloseRachel M. Wolfe, MD - No relevant financial relationships to discloseContent ReviewersDaniel Schaffer, MD – No relevant financial relationships to discloseAnneke Smith – No relevant financial relationships to discloseBen Smith, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA – No relevant financial relationships to discloseAcknowledgement of Commercial SupportThe 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 PoliciesSee ACR educational activity policies, including the online enduring activity refund policy.

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. Rheumatic diseases impact more than physical health: they can also impact overall quality of life. This activity describes the ways rheumatic disease can impact a person and their well-being. Learn to identify available resources and supports to mitigate the impact of rheumatic disease on psychosocial wellbeing.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 multiple ways in which rheumatic disease impacts the person’s whole lifeDiscuss how small changes in clinical practice, by addressing patient preferences, needs, and values can enhance patient care and improve outcomesIdentify available resources and supports to mitigate the impact of rheumatic disease on psychosocial well-beingCE & 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.