Clinical Pearls and Mysterious Cases

A Case of Undiagnosed Autoinflammation
Amani Albijadi

Cryptic chronicles: Beyond Crohn’s – An unusual cause of recurrent ulcers, abdominal pain, and weight loss
Molly Dushnicky

Sometimes, it is not (only) Rheumatoid Arthritis
Gulsum Gazel

When CVID Bugs the Joints
Alexander Howard

Cyclical neutropenia, fevers, and polyarthralgia in a healthy patient
Roko Nikolic

Short, practical medical tips and puzzling clinical cases are presented from patient-centered observations.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Apply clinical pearls to their practices
2. Recognize & evaluate the clinical reasoning necessary to solve mysterious cases

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Collaborator

Year in Review:  Basic and Clinical Science
Liam O’Neil & Christine Peschken

This session will provide a review of basic and translational science research studies in rheumatology in addition to clinical highlights in rheumatology from the past year.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Explain insights into novel mechanisms of rheumatic diseases
2. Recognize new treatment targets of rheumatic diseases
3. Optimize new findings about key conditions in rheumatology
4. Apply new clinical research knowledge to clinical practice
5. Discuss some of the latest developments in rheumatology

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Collaborator
3. Scholar

Keynote Lecture:  From Burnout to…what? Critical Frameworks for Tackling Our Burnout Crisis
Jillian Horton

Our profession is in crisis, and we’re already resilient enough. In this talk, Dr. Horton will make the case for internalizing the Stanford Professional Fulfilment Model, simultaneously exploring why physician “wellness” initiatives so often fail, and how we can take practical and evidence-based steps, even in our current environments, to begin to make progress.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Interpret the components of the Stanford Professional Fulfillment model and their relationship to physician wellness
2. Recognize common flaws and barriers to engagement with physician health-and-wellness initiatives
3. Identify 2-3 strategies to help find fulfillment in the clinical environment

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Communicator
3. Collaborator
4. Leader
5. Health Advocate
6. Professional

Jump to: Workshop Session 1 | Workshop Session 2

Podium Presentations

Specific Symptom Clusters at Diagnosis Signal a Poorer Early Ra Prognosis on Mtx Treatment: Results from The Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort (Catch)
Susan Bartlett

Incidence of Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases Following Exposure to Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists, or Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors: a Population-Based Study
Derin Karacabeyli

Association of Trimethoprim Sulfamethoxazole Prophylaxis with Infections During Treatment of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis with Rituximab: a Population-Based Study
Arielle Mendel

Genetics of Sex Dimorphism in Clinical Manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Caseng Zhang

Health Care Access in an Indigenous North American Population of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients and Their At-Risk First-Degree Relatives
Liam O’Neil

Autoantibodies Against Myxovirus Resistance Protein 1 Are Associated with Myositis and Interstitial Lung Disease in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Eugene Krustev

Associations Between Disease Activity, Physical Function and Anti-Rheumatic Medications with All-Cause Mortality in Rheumatoid Arthritis (Ra): Data from a Canadian Ra Registry
Sibel Aydin

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe clinical, basic and epidemiological research conducted by CRA members
2. Describe recent advances in clinical rheumatic disease research, basic science research, and clinical epidemiological research performed by trainee members of the CRA & medical undergraduates
3. Identify recent progress in academic rheumatology research across Canada

 CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Scholar

Keynote Lecture: From Psoriasis to Psoriatic Arthritis: Towards Prevention?
Lihi Eder

The talk will discuss the current understanding of the conversion from psoriasis to psoriatic arthritis, review methods to identify high-risk individuals, and explore opportunities for early interception

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the pre-clinical phases of psoriatic arthritis
2. Identify individuals at high risk of conversion from psoriasis to PsA
3. Employ existing screening and diagnostic tools for psoriatic arthritis more effectively

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert

Part 1 Controversies in Rheumatology: What is the Role of the Rheumatologist in Long Covid?
Konstantinos Tselios & Jan Willem Cohen Tervaert

A substantial proportion of patients recovering from an acute COVID infection develop widespread pain, arthralgias, and fatigue.  This session will present the difficulties and complexities in the management of long COVID; it will explore the rheumatologist’s limitations, as well as the opportunities, in managing this complex condition.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the cardinal symptoms and signs of long COVID
2. Understand the current diagnostic approach of long COVID
3. Appraise the difficulties in the management of long COVID
4. Diagnose long COVID
5. Explain the effect of SSRIs in long COVID
6. Determine the possible effects of nutraceuticals and diet on long COVID

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Communicator
3. Collaborator
4. Leader
5. Health Advocate
6. Scholar
7. Professional

Part 2 Controversies in Rheumatology: Antimalarials: So Many Controversies, So Little Time
Sasha Bernatsky and Josh Manusow

Antimalarial drugs are here to stay but using them safely remains a challenge. In this session, we’ll touch on cardiac issues, retinal toxicity, and how to personalize use of these agents in rheumatology.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Identify ‘controversies’ and ‘dilemmas’ regarding antimalarial use in rheumatology
2. Describe potential factors that may influence decisions to taper HCQ in SLE
3. Apply a practical approach to retinal screening for people using antimalarials for rheumatic disease

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Communicator
3. Collaborator
4. Leader
5. Health Advocate
6. Scholar
7. Professional

The Great Debate:  Be it Resolved That EMRs Save Time for Healthcare Providers and Improves Quality of Care
Chair: Volodko Bakowsky
For: Steven Katz and Jill Hall
Against: Tom Appleton and Dax Rumsey

Two debate teams will debate for and against the motion.  A vote will follow to determine the winners of the debate.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Identify the benefits of using an EMR with respect to efficiency and quality
2. Describe the negative aspects of EMRs including technical glitches and vulnerability
3. Specify how EMRs improve Quality of Care
4. Consider the role of EMRs in rheumatology now and in the future
5. Develop a plan to implement digital technology into practice
6. Describe the impact of digital health solutions on administrative burden for physicians

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Communicator
3. Collaborator
4. Leader
5. Health Advocate
6. Scholar
7. Professional

Workshop Session 1 [ Back to Top ]

1A       Navigating the Future: Updates in ANCA Associated Vasculitis Management through Cases and Collaboration
Stephanie Garner and Bryce Barr

This workshop will review recent updates in the management of ANCA associated vasculitis using a practical case-based approach. Topics covered will include the less is more paradigm shift in prednisone prescribing, adjuvant therapies in ANCA associated vasculitis (such as avacopan and plasmapheresis), how to select a maintenance agent, and how to decide on the duration of maintenance therapy. Attendees will also gain insight from the nephrology perspective so that they have the skills to collaborate with nephrology on these complex patients.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe when and how to use reduced dose prednisone tapering protocols, plasmapheresis, and avacopan in patients with ANCA associated vasculitis
2. Recognize risk factors for relapse in ANCA associated vasculitis and how to incorporate this into selection of a maintenance agent and duration of therapy
3. Navigate the challenges of collaborative care in patients with ANCA associated vasculitis

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Collaborator
3. Health Advocate
4. Scholar
5. Professional

1B       What’s New in OP Management
Heather McDonald-Blumer

This workshop will provide a forum to discuss and debate the 2023 Osteoporosis Canada Guideline Update – what is the same, what is new and what may be controversial.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Interpret the 2023 Osteoporosis Canada Guideline Update 
2. Discuss implementation of changes related to: bone density monitoring, calcium and vitamin D supplementation and sequencing and duration of drug therapies
3. Apply Guideline principles to clinical practice

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Communicator
3. Collaborator

1C       Approaches to RA Prediction and Prevention; What Can be Done on an Individual, Community, and National Level
Hani El-Gabalawy, Liam O’Neil, and Dylan MacKay

With the discovery of a prolonged pre-clinical stage of RA, the rheumatology community globally has focused on understanding the biology of this stage, and on developing strategies to reduce the risk of progression to clinically definable RA. The workshop will explore practical approaches for detecting individuals with an elevated risk of RA development and nutritional interventions that may reduce that risk.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the scope of the international efforts to date for the prediction and prevention of RA
2. Identify emerging, user-friendly approaches to detecting RA risk
3. Explain the potential impact of dietary interventions on RA risk

CanMEDS roles

1. Communicator
2. Collaborator
3. Health Advocate

1D       Genetics in Rheumatology
Jason An

This session will review the use of genetics within Rheumatology with a focus on Autoinflammatory Syndromes. Participants will learn about the indications, modalities, and interpretation of genetic testing.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Recognize the clinical features that suggest a monogenic cause of disease
2. Compare the range of genetic tests available to rheumatologists and order the appropriate test modality
3. Identify an approach to the diagnostic interpretation of genetic results

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Collaborator
3. Health Advocate

1E        Clinical Practice Guidelines and Interprofessional Shared Decision Making: A Journey Towards Health Equity
Karine Toupin April, Elizabeth Stringer, Cheryl Barnabe, and Natasha Trehan

This workshop builds upon our workshop presented at last year’s CRA meeting. We asked a few experts in shared decision making (SDM) to present this workshop. It will be very interactive and will include collaborators who are members of CRA and AHPA, working in both adult and pediatric rheumatology. Natasha Trehan, a patient partner, will bring forth her perspectives on SDM and clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). Dr. Cheryl Barnabe will present information about the cultural and social aspects of SDM in interprofessional rheumatology practice and its potential impact on health equity. We will provide information on the CRA clinical practice guidelines and related SDM interventions. Dr. Karine Toupin April and Elizabeth Stringer will bring forth aspects of SDM in pediatric rheumatology. We will have discussions about the cultural and social aspects of SDM in interprofessional rheumatology practice and provide tips to facilitate its implementation for increased health equity.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the potential for interprofessional shared decision making (SDM) to improve patient outcomes and health equity in rheumatology practice
2. Provide examples of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) recommendations developed by the Canadian Rheumatology Association and other organizations and describe related SDM interventions
3. Appraise practical tips to help integrate CPG clinical recommendations and interprofessional SDM into rheumatology practice with the intent of facilitating health equity

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Communicator
3. Collaborator
4. Leader
5. Health Advocate
6. Scholar
7. Professional

1F        Save Time, Get Section 3 Credits, and Have Patients Thank You for Not Over Testing
Janet Pope and Tara McMillan

To identify tests NOT to do by Choosing Wisely and others that are more likely to make a difference in treatment or diagnosis in people with rheumatic diseases.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Cite the choosing wisely process
2. Differentiate what should be ordered and what shouldn’t be for specific patient cases

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Leader
3. Health Advocate
4. Scholar
5. Professional

1G       Chasing Mimics: A Pediatric Rheumatology Adventure Down the Arthritis Rabbit Hole
Tommy Gerschman

Explore uncommon causes of arthritis and arthritis-like presentations in a pediatric rheumatologist’s clinic through a case-based discussion and review.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Identify 5 rare causes of arthritis or arthritis-like conditions in children
2. Discuss the impact of atypical presentations and overlapping symptoms on accurate diagnosis
3. Examine actual case studies to improve diagnostic approaches and decision-making in complex situations

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Scholar

1H       Transforming Rheumatology: The Power of Artificial Intelligence
Sameer Chunara

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be thought of as a collection of sub-fields and techniques that aim to simulate human intelligence in machines to perform tasks that require human intelligence. More recently, with the release of ChatGPT-4 there has been more widespread public interest in the potential of AI across multiple disciplines such as healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and entertainment. In this workshop, we will explore what AI actually is, how it has been used in healthcare, how it currently impacts rheumatology and may continue to impact the future of how we provide care in rheumatology.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Define artificial intelligence (AI),its capabilities, and its applications in healthcare
2. Describe the current state of AI in rheumatology, with a focus on clinical applications
3. Discuss what the future state of AI in healthcare and/or rheumatology may look like

CanMEDS roles

1. Leader
2. Health Advocate
3. Scholar

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Workshop Session 2 [ Back to Top ]

2A       Myositis: What’s Trending Now
Fergus To

This session reviews practical tips for the management of inflammatory myopathies.  Recent treatment literature and new cancer screening guidelines will also be presented.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe nuances in the diagnostic workup of myositis patients
2. Apply treatment algorithms for different subsets of myositis patients
3. Select appropriate cancer screening tests based on individual patient risk factors

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Health Advocate
3. Scholar

2B       Practical Lessons in Sarcoidosis Management
Daniel Vis

This session aims to educate participants on the practical aspects of advanced sarcoidosis management, with a focus on multisystem disease.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the current treatment paradigm
2. List alternative treatments for refractory sarcoidosis symptoms
3. Identify evolving treatment modalities

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Collaborator
3. Scholar

2C       Should Personalized Medicine be Used in Rheumatology?
Janet Pope and Jamie Gregor

This workshop will demonstrate evidence for and against personalized data when treating your patients with rheumatic diseases and determining if we can learn from studies and experience in IBD.
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Cite literature that endorses reactive therapeutic monitoring
2. Consider the safety of azathioprine and implications to the clinical care of patients in whom the medication is indicated
3. Identify controversies of personalized medicine in your patients

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Collaborator
3. Scholar

2D       Can We Predict Who Will Develop a Rheumatic Disease? Beyond Rheumatoid Arthritis
Joan Wither and Lihi Eder

Similar to Rheumatoid Arthritis, many other rheumatic diseases have a prolonged pre-clinical phase, suggesting that identification of high-risk individuals for these conditions could also open the door to preventative therapies.  In this workshop, we will discuss recent advances into the identification of individuals at high risk for development of other rheumatic diseases, focusing on psoriatic arthritis and ANA+ systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Cite current clinically accessible tests/algorithms that allow risk stratification
2. Identify patients at increased risk of progression
3. Recognize the prospects for systemic therapies to prevent progression

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Leader
3. Scholar

2E        The Emerging Adult with Rheumatic Disease: What Adult Rheumatologist Need to Know
Michelle Batthish, Stephanie Garner, and Natash Trehan

This workshop will highlight the unique aspects to caring for young adults with JIA. Both the medical and non-medical needs of this patient population will be reviewed. Speakers from Take a Pain Check Foundation and the Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance will highlight their collaborative project called “Make Rheum For Youth” where they will outline the action plans and strategies based on the project’s findings and engage participants in interactive discussions for insights, suggestions, and potential collaborations to support young individuals with rheumatic diseases.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the unique clinical features of emerging adults with JIA, including uveitis screening and TMJ arthritis
2. Navigate issues related to mental health, risky behaviors, and parental involvement in the care of emerging adults with JIA
3. Identify the needs of emerging adults with rheumatic disease in managing their own care

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Communicator
3. Leader

2F        Re-Balancing the Physician- Pharmaceutical Company Relationship
Elizabeth Hazel

This session aims to deconstruct the physician’s relationship with the pharmaceutical industry and look for ways to address the challenges and promote shared interests.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Reflect on the history of physician-pharma relations
2. Develop strategies to mitigate the risks of this relationship
3. Apply an impact gap canvas to solution mapping

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Communicator
3. Collaborator
4. Leader
5. Health Advocate
6. Professional

2G       Newly Described Monogenic Autoinflammatory Diseases
Sarah Hansen

First established two decades ago, the autoinflammatory disease field continues to expand beyond TRAPS, CAPS, and FMF, with more than 20 novel monogenic conditions described within the past 10 years. In this session we will review the contemporary pathway-based classification of the autoinflammatory diseases, including inflammasomopathies, relopathies, and interferonopathies, as it relates to phenotypic presentation and pathway-based management strategies.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Appreciate the expanding spectrum of clinical manifestations associated with autoinflammatory disorders and situate them within a contemporary pathway-based classification scheme.
2. Describe the key features of newly described monogenic autoinflammatory disorders including Deficiency of adenosine deaminase 2, COPA syndrome, and Haploinsufficiency of A20.       
3. Discuss advances in pathway-based management strategies for autoinflammatory disease.

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Leader
3. Scholar

2H       Towards Improving Representation in Rheumatology Research (in Canada and Beyond)
Mary De Vera, Meghan Thomas, Anna Samson, Michael Kuluva

The proposed workshop will translate our growing program of research to address equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) by improving representation in rheumatology research. At this workshop, a synthesis of rheumatology research in Canada including reporting of determinants of health inequities will be presented. We will then discuss recruitment and retention strategies for diverse populations based on work in other jurisdictions and applications to the Canadian context. We will also share findings from ongoing interviews with researchers and arthritis health care providers on barriers and facilitators to research participation by underrepresented populations.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Engage with their community/communities to promote rheumatology research
2. Consider strategies for collecting data on determinants of health inequities (e.g., place of residence, race/ethnicity, gender/sex, etc) from participants
3. Identify strategies to support ongoing participation (retention) in research by underrepresented groups

CanMEDS roles

1. Communicator
2. Health Advocate
3. Professional

Jump to: Workshop Session 3

Podium Presentations

Survival on Treatment After Transition to a Biosimilar: Population-Based Evidence from a Natural Experiment Due to a Policy Change
Kasra Moolooghy

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Scleroderma Have an Incomplete Myofibroblast-Like Phenotype with Preserved in Vitro Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Fibrotic Effects
Ines Colmegna

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Canadian Rheumatology Research: a Qualitative Study Exploring Researcher Perspectives
Megan Thomas

Does 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (Pet) Correlate with Disease Activity in Patients Who Are Receiving Treatment for Giant Cell Arteritis (Gca): a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Alison Clifford

Elevated Serum Levels of S100A8/a9 Discriminate Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients with Cognitive Impairment from Patients Without Impairment
Carolina Munoz Grajales

Treat (Depression to Reach)-To-Target in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Elliot Hepworth

Improving Access to Temporal Artery Biopsy for Giant Cell Arteritis Patients
Hillary Chan

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe clinical, basic and epidemiological research conducted by CRA members
2. Describe recent advances in clinical rheumatic disease research, basic science research, and clinical epidemiological research performed by trainee members of the CRA & medical undergraduates
3. Identify recent progress in academic rheumatology research across Canada

 CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Scholar

Dunlop-Dottridge Lecture:  What is the Impact of RA on First Nations People, and How We Can Work with Communities to Detect and Prevent It?
Hani El-Gabalawy

RA disproportionately affects First Nations People. The outcomes are often unfavourable based on complex interactions between genetic, environmental, and sociological factors. Working in partnership with First Nations communities, approaches are being developed to screen for RA risk and to evaluate interventions that may reduce that risk.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the epidemiology, clinical features, and unfavourable outcomes of RA in First Nations People
2. Develop an understanding of the pre-clinical phase of RA in the at-risk family members of First Nations RA patients
3. Acknowledge the partnerships that are needed in order to undertake initiatives that aim to predict and prevent RA on an individual and community level

CanMEDS roles

1. Communicator
2. Health Advocate
3. Scholar

Distinguished Investigator Keynote Address:  Taming the Wolf: Advancing Lupus Care
Ann Clarke

In this session, we will discuss measuring and mitigating the socioeconomic burden; characterizing the risk and determinants of malignancy; and hearing the patient voice and advocating for timely and equitable healthcare and medication access.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss the economic burden of SLE
2. Interpret risk factors and determinants of malignancy in SLE
3. Recognize the appropriate use and availability of novel therapies in SLE

CanMEDS roles

1. Leader
2. Health Advocate
3. Scholar

RheumJeopardy 2024
Host:                            Phillip Baer
Scorekeeper:              Raheem Kherani
Captain East:              Timothy Kwok
Captain West:             Herman Tam

Based on the classic TV game show Jeopardy!, every audience member will be a player on one of 2 teams in an interactive contest testing your knowledge of rheumatology topics with a Canadian focus. Entertaining, provocative, and fun!

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Demonstrate their knowledge of recent clinical and research findings in rheumatology
2. Prove to anyone that rheumatology is the broadest and most interesting medical subspecialty
3. Maintain resilience and overcome burnout by using gamification to enhance learning

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Communicator

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Workshop Session 3 [ Back to Top ]

3A       Beyond Sight: Unveiling Psoriatic Arthritis Through Imaging
Lihi Eder

The workshop will focus on understanding the pathophysiology of psoriatic arthritis through imaging, with a specific emphasis on musculoskeletal ultrasound. The use of imaging in the diagnosis and management of psoriatic arthritis will be discussed.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Identify the typical sonographic features of psoriatic arthritis
2. Describe the strengths and limitations of ultrasound for the diagnosis and management of PsA

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert

3B       Solving the Mystery of IgG4-related Disease
Mollie Carruthers

IgG4-related disease is multifaceted. The ACR/EULAR classification criteria and clinical phenotypes will be explored. Future directions in treatment will be touched on.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Apply different patient presentations in the ACR/EULAR IgG4-related disease classification criteria
2. Categorize the types of IgG4-related disease patients into basic categories
3. Plan first-line therapy for IgG4-related disease patients

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Leader
3. Scholar

3C       Beyond Purpura: Presentation of Vasculitis and Vasculopathy in the Skin
Sheila Au, Stephanie Keeling and Jan Dutz

This case-based workshop will discuss the myriad of ways vasculitis and vasculopathy present in the skin. Cases will be used to prompt discussion regarding morphology, differential diagnosis, where to biopsy the skin, and management principles.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Explain 3 ways vasculitis/vasculopathy can present in the skin
2. Evaluate how the size and shape of purpura can determine the type of vessel involved in cutaneous vasculitis/vasculopathy
3. Master the principles of skin biopsy in suspected vasculitis/vasculopathy of the skin

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Collaborator
3. Health Advocate
4. Scholar
5. Professional

3D       Immunology for the Rheumatologist: Targeting the T Cell
Lori Albert and Megan Himmel

This workshop will provide participants with a low-stress and comfortable environment in which to refresh their knowledge of immunology to enhance their understanding of new therapeutic approaches in rheumatology.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Outline the general functions of T cells and T cell subsets in the immune response
2. Review the role of several key cytokines in the pathogenesis of rheumatologic diseases
3. Describe the mechanism of action of 3 classes of therapeutic agents: Interferon blocking agents, agents that block the IL-17/1L-23 pathways and CAR-T therapy

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Scholar

3E        Cross-Cultural Communication: Embracing the Diversity of Your Rheumatology Patients
Nicole Johnson, Susan Humphrey-Murto, Trudy Taylor, Alan Zhou, and Amorell Saunders N’Daw

This workshop will share concepts of effective cross-cultural communication, including a communication framework and best practices for the use of interpreter services. The goal of the workshop is to enhance the cultural humility of the attendees while empowering them with increased communication skills through case studies to improve the care of patients from diverse backgrounds.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Recognize the challenges to cross-cultural communication in a clinical setting and recognize the negative impact that language and cultural barriers have on patient care
2. Detect important components for effective cross-cultural communication
3. Identify and discuss approaches to enhance cross-cultural communication for patients with diverse backgrounds

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Communicator
3. Collaborator
4. Leader
5. Health Advocate
6. Scholar
7. Professional

3F        Optimizing Care for Patients with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases (RMDs) Utilizing ACPAC Program-trained Clinicians
Leslie Soever, Vandana Ahluwalia, and Laura Passalent

This workshop will showcase successful models of care (MOC) in adult and paediatric rheumatology.  The audience will be engaged in an interactive MOC development exercise, that includes Advanced Clinician Practitioner in Arthritis Care (ACPAC) graduates to address gaps in care.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the ACPAC Program curriculum and competency-based evaluation
2. Identify successful models of care in adult and paediatric rheumatology utilizing ACPAC Program-trained graduates
3. Describe how to develop, implement, and evaluate an innovative MOC utilizing an ACPAC Program-trained graduate to address local and system-level need for patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases

CanMEDS roles

1. Medical Expert
2. Collaborator
3. Leader

3G       Patient and Family Engagement in Rheumatology Research
Michelle Batthish, Meghan Pancucci, and Karen Beattie

This workshop is designed for researchers (graduate students, research coordinators, investigators, clinician-researchers, etc.) and family advocates who have an interest in engaging patients/families in rheumatology research.  Participants in this workshop will have increased their knowledge and confidence in family engagement in research and be ready to apply what they have learned and partner on integrated research teams.  We will review what family engagement in research means and its benefits, how families may be engaged with researchers in projects at different stages of the research life cycle and present different tools and resources to help with the implementation of family engagement activities.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Define and describe the benefits of family engagement in research
2. Identify family/research partners and understand how to engage families at each step of the research process
3. Utilize tools and resources available for the implementation and evaluation of family engagement activities

CanMEDS roles

1. Communicator
2. Collaborator
3. Scholar

3H       What is Complex Osteoarthritis? Determining Admission Criteria for Allied Health Services at a Tertiary Arthritis Program
Kei Nishikawa and Morag Crocker

In BC there is a move towards supporting adults with non-complex OA at the primary care level, often with limited allied health support. For those with more complex OA and needs, more targeted interventions are required.   By reviewing all OA referrals over a 7-month period, this trial sought to determine factors that contribute to a presentation of ‘complex OA’, and therefore which individuals should be accepted for care at a tertiary arthritis program.  In this workshop, we will describe factors associated with a ‘complex OA’ presentation, the related care needs of these individuals, and development of a screening and triage strategy.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe strategies that programs or clinics can use to collect data and define complex OA along the continuum of care through referral, triage, assessment and treatment
2. Incorporate the newly acquired knowledge and skills into clinical practice
3. Identify the key factors associated with a complex OA presentation based on the literature and findings from the Mary Pack Arthritis Program Complex Osteoarthritis Triage (COAT) trial
4. Determine how the potential strategies for screening individuals for OA complexity may apply to the clinical setting and patient populations

CanMEDS roles

1. Communicator
2. Collaborator
3. Health Advocate