We're thrilled to begin this exciting journey by sharing a collection of preliminary thoughts and resources. Our aim is to provide you with a repository of materials to jumpstart your exploration of geriatric rheumatology. As our project evolves, we envision categorizing and sharing related content to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of this field.

Preliminary Resources:

Community Resources:
This is an essential part of our care of the senior adult population, we need to identify some of the community resources that can help us to take of our patients.

Dr. Gregory Choy (Sunnybrook, Toronto, ON) has very kindly prepared and shared this curated list of resources we can use here in Ontario/GTA area. To access the PDF file, please click here
The file will also be linked to in the sidebar.

Reading and learning:
To get things started, we've curated a selection of excellent articles and learning resources that have inspired and informed our mission. Here are some highlights:

1. Nature Review Article: "Challenges in the management of older patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases" - This comprehensive review delves into the unique management challenges faced when treating older patients with rheumatic diseases.

2. Article: "Pharmacotherapy Pearls in Rheumatology for the Care of Older Adult Patients: Focus on Oral Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs and the Newest Small Molecule inhibitors" [PDF] - Explore key considerations for prescribing oral disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in older adults with rheumatic conditions.

3. Article: "The challenging interplay between rheumatoid arthritis, ageing, and comorbidities" - Discover the complex relationship between rheumatoid arthritis, aging, and the presence of other medical conditions.

4. Article: "Geriatric Rheumatology: The Need for a Separate Subspecialty in the Near Future" - Gain insights into the emerging field of geriatric rheumatology and the necessity for a distinct subspecialty.

5. Book: "Geriatric Rheumatology: A Comprehensive Approach". Although this is from 2011, a lot of its content is still relevant.

Additionally, I'm excited to share a recent podcast episode from the ACR, featuring Dr. Una Makris and Dr. Jiha Lee’, discussing their article titled "Optimizing Medication Use in Older Adults With Rheumatic Musculoskeletal Diseases: Deprescribing as an Approach When Less May Be More." The podcast episode can be accessed  via this link. 

These resources provide just a glimpse into the wealth of knowledge available in the field of geriatric rheumatology. We're committed to sharing more valuable resources as we progress in our journey.

As we launch GeriRheum.com, we invite you to explore these preliminary resources that we've compiled to kickstart your engagement with geriatric rheumatology. Stay tuned for future updates, as we curate and categorize more content to support your learning and professional growth in this rapidly evolving field. We're excited to embark on this journey together and look forward to your active participation and feedback.

Ahmed Omar

Welcome to GeriRheum.com, your hopefully go-to resource for all things related to geriatric rheumatology care. This is our first blog post (out side the more formal introduction), and we're excited to kick-start this project by sharing some thoughts.

Our aim is to help consider the the specific care needs of the growing population of older adults with rheumatic diseases, and hopefully providing some insight on how we can address these needs, recognizing the complexities and challenges they face, especially when combined with comorbidities commonly seen in senior adulthood.

Passion for Better Care:

At GeriRheum.com, our passion and drive stem from the desire to improve the care provided to older adults with rheumatic diseases. This special population requires a unique approach, considering their distinct needs and the complexities that arise due to the nature of their conditions. We believe that by sharing research, content, and resources, and building a community of care givers who are interested in this focus, we can empower ourselves as healthcare professionals, researchers, and students in delivering the best possible care to our senior adult patients.

Sharing and Collaboration:

As we embark on this journey, we acknowledge that there is much to learn and discover. Our goal is to serve as a repository of information, a platform where we can collectively gather, curate, and share related content. This initial stage may appear somewhat random as we start to gather resources, but as the project matures, we will develop a more structured approach, categorizing and organizing content to make it easily accessible and useful for our community.

Challenges and Unanswered Questions:

Throughout this journey, we want to openly discuss the challenges faced in geriatric rheumatology care. We recognize that there are many unanswered questions and areas where more research is needed. We invite you to join us in this endeavor, sharing your experiences, insights, and expertise. Your participation and feedback are invaluable for the continued growth and optimization of GeriRheum.com.

Conclusion:

As we launch GeriRheum.com, we are filled with enthusiasm and excitement about the possibilities ahead. Our mission is clear: to improve the care of older adults with rheumatic diseases, and also to promote education and scholarly work in this area.

Together, we can build a platform that shares research, content, and resources, addresses challenges, and encourages collaboration. We invite you to be a part of this journey, actively participating, sharing, and contributing. Let us work together to advance geriatric rheumatology care and make a positive impact on the lives of patients worldwide.


Dr. Ahmed Omar
University of Toronto
Rheumatology Department

Introducing Geri Rheum: Championing Geriatric Rheumatology Education and Care

Introduction:
Welcome to GeriRheum.com, a website dedicated to promoting geriatric rheumatology education and advancing the care provided to older adults with rheumatic diseases. Our platform aims to serve as a comprehensive resource hub for healthcare professionals, researchers, and students seeking to enhance their knowledge and understanding of this specialized field. In this post, we will introduce this website and outline its key objectives and offerings.

Objectives of our project:
1. Educational Resources: GeriRheum.com aims to curate and provide a wide range of educational resources tailored to the unique challenges and considerations of geriatric rheumatology. These resources include articles, case studies, guidelines, and expert insights to enhance the understanding and management of rheumatic diseases in older adults.

2. Learning Materials: Our website will also aim to offer, and curate a collection of learning materials designed to support healthcare professionals in their continuous professional development. These materials may include webinars, online courses, modules, and podcasts, covering various topics related to geriatric rheumatology care.

3. Research Updates: GeriRheum will strives to stay up to date with the latest advancements in geriatric rheumatology research. We will aim to provide regular updates on relevant studies, clinical trials, and scientific discoveries, ensuring healthcare professionals can integrate evidence-based practices into their patient care.

4. Community Engagement: The site is committed to fostering a vibrant community of healthcare professionals, researchers, and students interested in geriatric rheumatology. We will aim to provide opportunities for networking, collaboration, and sharing of experiences and best practices.

5. Community resources:
Recognizing the importance of such resources given the potential complex needs of this patient population, we will aim curate community resources that assist and facilitate the care of older adults with rheumatic diseases, including physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), falls clinics, and accessible geriatric-friendly services, etc. 

Conclusion:
Geri Rheum is dedicated to championing geriatric rheumatology education and care. By offering a wide range of educational resources, learning materials, research updates, and commentary, we aim to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to provide the best possible care to older adults with rheumatic diseases. We invite you to explore our website, engage with our community, and join us in our mission to advance geriatric rheumatology for the benefit of patients worldwide.

Disclaimer: The information provided on Geri Rheum's website is intended for educational purposes only and should not be substituted for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment options.