The COVID-19 pandemic may have fueled international collaboration among rheumatologists with the goal of improving patient care and outcomes and reducing inequities, according to a report from Healio. In the wake of the pandemic, the Association of Women in Rheumatology (AWIR) has demonstrated how to foster transcontinental participation through their 2022 Annual Conference, where rheumatologists held a summit to share ideas and strengthen global communications. Rheumatologists hope these ideas may soon translate into tangible results in patient care. Angela Migowa, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Child Health at the Aga Khan University Medical College East Africa, explained that in order to promote collaboration, disseminate successful ideas, and work toward a common vision, rheumatologists need to be understanding of the diverse challenges that rheumatologists in other regions and countries may be facing—including a lower quality of care for female patients, less respect for female physicians, inequities in access to care for marginalized patients, and untreated rheumatic diseases.
At the AWIR 2022 Annual Conference, rheumatologists proposed solutions to overcome these issues. In Pakistan, rheumatologists are taking steps toward gender equity with programs to elevate the voices of female practitioners; practitioners in the Caribbean are looking to resolve differing guidelines between countries through enhanced communication; and those in the pan-Africa region are working to rid of associated stigmas associated with rheumatic conditions that lead to unchecked disease and irreversible damage in pediatric patients. They emphasized that maximizing digital platforms such as telemedical appointments, building unity and communication between countries, and sharing experiences were takeaways from the meeting that may lead to positive changes. Rheumatologists hope that by hearing how others from around the world are tackling their inequities, action plans can be established to develop new initiatives to improve patient care and outcomes universally.