Direct care, concierge medicine, wellness, and coaching models are changing the ways rheumatologists practice and patients experience care. Diana Girnita, MD, PhD, discussed the potential of direct care and addressed some of the common fears providers have related to this approach to serving patients.

At events like ACR Convergence, social media helps enhance engagement among attendees. It also can be used to amplify one’s own work and as a research tool. Jean Liew, MD, MS, shared her expertise with social media and how the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance used it to benefit the field.

The Association of American Medical Colleges estimates a shortage of as many as 139,000 physicians by 2033. ACR Workforce Solutions Committee Chair Daniel Battafarano, DO, outlined the types of projects committee members will undertake to improve the practice of rheumatology for providers and patients and combat the workforce shortage.