Illustration of doctor and patient in a speech bubble with sound wave symbols on either side. Below the illustration reads Rheumy Rounds with a registered trademark symbol.

The talk show that brings rheumatology professionals & persons affected by AiArthritis diseases to the same table, as equals, to discuss important community topics that, if solved, would improve communication and positively impact outcomes.

Rheumy RoundsⓇ

"Los pacientes hablan entre sí. Los reumatólogos hablan con otros profesionales. Pero para mejorar la comunicación y resolver los problemas que más importan a los pacientes, necesitamos que ambas partes estén presentes en la conversación en igualdad de condiciones."

Rheumy RoundsⓇ is a concept developed to work in conjunction with our award-winning AiArthritis Voices 360 Talk Show. It will unite rheumatology professionals and patients "at the table", as equals, to discuss problems that, if solved, could improve outcomes in the rheumatology community.

By listening to one another's concerns, perceived barriers, and desired improvements, we can begin to improve communication and develop solutions that can enhance the healthcare experience for all involved.

This will be a break out series in conjunction with our AiArthritis Voices 360 talk show (podcast).

Rheumatologist Professionals - Interested in being part of RheumyRounds? Whether it's part of a talk show episode or an advisor, there's always room at our table for you! SEND US AN EMAIL TODAY!

Concept

The establishment of Rheumy Rounds is based on patient-reported needs to enhance communication and relationship management with their rheumatologists, so issues they deem important could be addressed in a manner that would lead to improved outcomes. The word "Rheumy" is used because this is what patients call their rheumatologists (slang). 


Ideally, each initial episode will enlist a minimum of two patients and two rheumatology professionals to participate in roundtable discussions that address topics* suggested by one (or both) stakeholder groups.

Next, the conversation will open to the rest of the community - both patient and rheumatology professional - to submit their opinions, ideas, comments, and potential solutions. After assessment, another episode will continue the discussion and begin exploring solutions. This process will repeat until a resolve has been established.

*Examples include diagnosis issues, remission expectations, biosimilars, non-medical switching, treatment protocols, navigating disability.
Listen to our CEO discuss the concept, process, & intended outcomes for Rheumy Rounds:

Rheumatology Collaborators

Thank you to Dr. Alfred Kim "Al", rheumatologist and Assistant Professor of Medicine and of Pathology & Immunology at Washington University School of Medicine, founder and director of the Washington University Lupus Clinic,  and Tiffany's rheumy (our CEO and primary Talk Show Co-Host), for helping us spearhead this project. 


In addition to Dr. Kim ("Al"), we have other recurring "rheumys" - Dr. Vibeke Strand, Dr. Jeff Sparks, and Dr. Lisa Zickhur - but all health professionals are welcome (even if you aren't a 'rheumy'). Are YOU a rheumatology professional and interested in participating?  Whether you would like to be on an episode, or simply advise from behind the scenes, we have a seat for you at our table.  Please email tiffany@aiarthritis.org for more information. 


RheumyRounds was made possible with support from Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS)

Episodes

Most Recent

  • In this RheumyRounds Part One of two episodes, Tiffany Westrich-Robertson (axial spondyloarthritis) and Deb Constien (rheumatoid arthritis) are joined by rheumatologist Dr. Lisa Zickuhr to highlight the importance of communication, compassion and openness in bettering patient-doctor relationships. While we discuss a little of the Bad and Ugly, Lisa largely focuses on the Good.

  • En este episodio de RheumyRounds, Tiffany Westrich-Robertson (espondiloartritis axial) y Deb Constien (artritis reumatoide) conversan con el reumatólogo Dr. Al Kim "Al" (también reumatólogo de Tiffany) para destacar la importancia de la comunicación, la compasión y la franqueza en la mejora de la relación médico-paciente. Si bien la primera parte se centró principalmente en lo positivo, en la segunda profundizamos en lo negativo. ¡También te invitan a compartir tus experiencias positivas, negativas y desagradables en las consultas médicas para que, juntos, un equipo de pacientes y reumatólogos pueda colaborar en la creación de recomendaciones para las mejores prácticas de comunicación en la consulta, ¡que mejoren el futuro de la comunicación entre pacientes y reumatólogos!

Past Episodes

Office Communication Specific

The following four episodes (two approximately one hour in length and two short segments) were all produced from one conversation between a rheumatologist, researcher, and two people living with AiArthritis diseases, which focused on potential causes for communication barriers that may exist between patient and doctor during office visits. The discussion was robust, and at times lighthearted, but they achieved something novel - doctors, researchers, and patients all "at the table" as equals, working towards solutions to improve experiences for both stakeholder groups.  As a result, all parties involved reported not only did they learn from this experience, but they took something away that will alter the way they think of office visits in the future.

  • This episode join your patient co-hosts, Tiffany and Kelly, as they are joined by roundtable guests - rheumatologist, Dr. Alfred Kim, and graduate researcher Jerik Leung as we dive right into the heart of the issue - communication barriers that currently existing between patients and their rheumatologists. 

  • This mini-episode captures a break out discussion between Kelly and Jerik about the research Jerik and his team have been working on regarding social support and the need for people with AiArthritis diseases to find others, like us, who understand our journey.

  • Únase a las pacientes coanfitrionas Tiffany y Kelly, junto con los invitados a la mesa redonda, el reumatólogo Dr. Alfred Kim y el investigador de posgrado Jerik Leung, mientras concluyen la primera conversación de nuestra interesante serie de talleres llamada Rheumy Rounds sobre cómo mejorar la comunicación entre médicos y pacientes.

  • Patients not only come to the visit potentially planning to present new information, but their past experiences throughout their disease journey also can impact the visit dynamic.  How do rheumies consider history and other social determinants when planning for the visit?

COVID Specific

October 31st, 2021 - Episode 67

Making Informed Decisions in Unprecedented Times

Deb, Tiffany and Katie discuss making informed decisions in the age of COVID-19, and the impact of those choices. They hope to stop misinformation and provide tools and resources for their listeners.

View the episode page to listen to this full episode!

July 4th, 2021 - Episode #63

COVID-19, Vaccinations, Shared-Decision Making, & Rheumy Communications

This week join your patient co-hosts Tiffany and Deb, as they welcome Al and Jeff (Dr. Al Kim and Dr. Jeff Sparks) to talk about the latest in COVID-19 research and vaccinations, including variants, antibodies, and the importance of communicating with your doctor about boosters and the evolving landscape (shared-decision making).

View the episode page to listen to this full episode!

April 4th, 2021 - Episode #60

COVID Blues: It's ok to ask for help

This week join your patient co-hosts Kelly Conway and Rick Phillips as they are joined by Heather Kenjorski to discuss mental health AiArthritis patients, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

View the episode page to listen to this full episode!
Gloved hand withdrawing dose of COVID vaccine

Special Air Date and Time!  February 24th, 2021 - Episode #57

COVID-19 & Vaccinations Communication, Education, & Shared-Decision Making

Who's at the table? Patient Co-Hosts Tiffany Westrich-Robertson & Kelly Conway are joined by Dr's Al Kim, Vibeke Strand, and Jeff Sparks as they discuss patient and rheumatologist vaccination hesitation and key education points, while providing insights to assess benefits and risks and promote shared-decision making strategies.

¡Visita la página del episodio para escuchar el episodio completo y enviar tus preguntas y comentarios!
COVID vaccine vials

February 21st, 2021 - Episode #56

Minisode Special: Decision Making w/ Vaccinations & Special Rheumy Rounds Announcement!

This episode, join your patient co-host, Tiffany Westrich-Robertson, CEO of the International Foundation for Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Arthritis, as she introduces the special report episode (airing Wednesday the 24th) on rheumy/patient communication vaccine issues and the importance of shared decision making.

View the episode page to listen to this full episode!

24 de enero de 2021 - Episodio #54

Serie sobre COVID-19 y artritis inducida por adyuvante: Preguntas sobre vacunas y mensajes contradictorios

Tiffany y el Dr. Kim conversan sobre la vacuna contra la COVID-19. El Dr. Kim y sus colegas lideran un estudio titulado "Respuestas a la vacuna contra la COVID-19 en pacientes con enfermedades autoinmunes", cuyo objetivo es examinar la cantidad y la calidad de las respuestas inmunitarias a la vacuna en pacientes con enfermedades autoinmunes, así como la seguridad de la vacuna para estos pacientes. El Dr. Kim responde a todas las preguntas de los pacientes y ofrece consejos prácticos para que usted pueda tomar la mejor decisión para su propio cuidado.

View the episode page to listen to this full episode!