Office Quest Rheumatology

Today´s rheumatologist is faced with many issues to consider when developing, implementing, and maintaining a full-service rheumatology treatment center replete with facilities for providing patients with diagnostic testing, treatments, and appropriate monitoring, all within a supervised setting. The appropriate utilization of staff, competency-training, and performance-improvement initiatives are also required to maintain the highest standard of care for patients. In addition, space anagement planning and access to advanced equipment, services, and technology may be viewed as potentially complex initiatives. These issues, however complex, are essential elements to ensuring an effective best-practice setting for patients. In addition, secondary tiers of service such as the identification and provision of patient education materials and coordination of healthcare benefits are also necessary components. Office Quest Rheumatology unravels the complexities of these services with a focus on new technologic advances in the treatment and diagnosis of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

This educational activity is designed for rheumatologists and other healthcare professionals interested in or involved with the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and related inflammatory conditions.

Temple University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to sponsor Continuing Medical Education for Physicians.

Temple University School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2 AMA Physician’s Recognition Award Category 1 Credit(s)™.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

It is the policy of Temple University School of Medicine; The Albert J. Finestone, M.D., Office for Continuing Medical Education to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of its sponsored or jointly sponsored educational programs. All faculty participating in programs sponsored or jointly sponsored by Temple University School of Medicine are expected to disclose to the program audience any real or apparent conflict(s) of interest related to the content of their presentation(s).

The information presented at this CME program represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, Temple University School of Medicine, Temple University Health System, or its affiliates. Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses.

Norman B. Gaylis, MD, has been a consultant for Centocor, Inc. and Genentech, Inc.  He has received grants/research support from Genentech, Inc. He is a member of the speaker’s bureau for Eli Lilly and Company; Genentech, Inc.; and Centocor, Inc.

Charles Pritchard, MD, is a member of the speaker’s bureau for Centocor, Inc.; Genentech, Inc.; and Pfizer Inc.

Sergio Schwartzman, MD, has been a consultant for Centocor, Inc.; Abbott Laboratories; and UCB, Inc. He is a member of the speaker’s bureau for Centocor, Inc.; Abbott Laboratories; and UCB, Inc.

Orrin M. Troum, MD, has been a consultant for Primus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. He has received grants/research support from Centocor, Inc.; Amgen Inc.; Abbott Laboratories; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Roche Pharmaceuticals; Pfizer Inc.; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. He is a member of the speaker’s bureau for Amgen Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Roche Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi-Aventis U.S., and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.

All conflicts have been resolved.