Aussie rheumatologist takes on editor role at OA journal
Sydney University rheumatologist Professor David Hunter has pledged to further advance the position of the journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage as the premier forum for osteoarthritis research as he takes over as co-Editor in Chief.
In conjunction with Professor Anne-Marie Malfait of Rush University, Chicago, Professor Hunter says the new editorial team aims to introduce several changes to encourage greater dissemination of OA research between clinicians and researchers with the journal founded by Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI).
In an editorial they say they will build on recent innovations with reforms in areas such as peer review and expanding communication via social media to connect with early-career researchers in particular.
“This is an incredibly exciting time to be taking the reins of our journal. Major breakthroughs are occurring by virtue of applications of new technologies, and the availability of large datasets leading to revolutions in our knowledge and treatment approaches for this burdensome disease,” they write.
“The field is growing, both in terms of its capacity but also in the breadth of its research and evolving into areas of novel methodology and applications, big data and machine learning, and increasingly multidisciplinary approaches. We would encourage submissions that educate us about these new fields and communicate important breakthroughs.”
RA self-monitoring app cuts consultations by 40%
A smartphone app that encourages patients with stable RA to self-monitor their disease activity has proved safe and led to a 38% reduction in rheumatologist consultations.
Developed by rheumatologists in the Netherlands, the MijnReuma Reade app prompted patients to answer a weekly routine assessment of patient index data (RAPID-3).
When trialled against usual care for 12 months in 102 patients with stable RA, the app users showed non-inferiority compared to the usual care group in terms of DAS 28 scores. The mean number of rheumatologist consultations was significantly lower in the app group (1.7 vs 2.8, visit ratio: 0.62) compared to patients who had usual care between clinic visits.
The results are published in Arthritis and Rheumatology.
Tough times for specialist college trainees
Advocacy for Specialist Medical College Trainees has been boosted via the AMA Council of Doctors in Training (CDT) Trainee Forums, according to the outgoing chair Dr Hash Abdeen.
In his final message the rheumatology trainee said the last two years has been a challenging time for trainees because of the impact of the pandemic on the healthcare system and exam disruptions.
Despite having to communicate and meet virtually for much of the time, he said a restructure of the council with 16 Specialist Medical College Trainee Committee Chairs & Representatives had helped to expand its advocacy.
The issue of trainee wellbeing had also been a priority for advocacy, addressed via the Wellbeing Specialist Interest Group, while the CDT had also contributed to progress in gender equity and flexible training policy.
Dr Abdeen said his successor as CDT Chair Dr Hannah Szewcyzk is an O&G trainee in South Australia and will do a great job over the next two years.