Arthritis Educator Program

The Arthritis Educator Program is an innovative program in which patients with rheumatic diseases are trained to guide health care professionals through the evaluation of musculoskeletal disease. The Program helps medical students develop and health care professionals improve their ability to perform an examination of the musculoskeletal system. This program places the patient at the center of the educational process and reinforces the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to treating rheumatic diseases and provides the following:

• Review of the musculoskeletal examination with a hands-on opportunity to perform the exam on a person with arthritis.
• Immediate feedback on the quality of the examination and general evaluation skills.
• Review of range of motion and function tests.
• Opportunity to improve diagnostic skills through a review of disease abnormalities.
• Review of history-taking and interview techniques.

The Arthritis Educators also provide peer support and education to patients attending the Arthritis Clinic at Parkland Health and Hospital System.  In preparation for this, Arthritis Educators are trained in several areas of arthritis education, including exercise, nutrition, joint protection, energy conservation, pain management, relaxation techniques, psychosocial issues, and listening skills. Since the Program was first developed at UT Southwestern over 10 years ago, it has been exported to institutions all over the world.

If you would like more information about the Arthritis Educator Program, please contact Valerie Branch, MS, MBA at 214-648-2018 or Valerie.Branch@utsouthwestern.edu.

Dallas Lupus Symposium

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