Talking Rheumatology – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the NIHR Associate Principal Investigator (API) Scheme, exploring what it really means to step into a research role. Dr Anastasia Madenidou hosts this conversation with James Bluett, Holly Speight, Jill Firth & Tania-Elena Gudu.

From a Research Delivery Network (RDN) perspective, we provide an overview of the scheme which is open to the entire MDT, highlight its purpose in developing the next generation of researchers, and signpost listeners to key API resources. We then hear directly from both sides of the experience: a mentor sharing insights on supporting and shaping emerging investigators, and an API mentee reflecting on the realities, challenges, and rewards of the programme.

Whether you’re considering applying, mentoring, or simply curious about how the NIHR API Scheme builds research capacity, this episode offers honest reflections, practical advice, and inspiration for your next career step.

Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology! Join the conversation on X using #TalkingRheum or tweet us @RheumatologyUK.

BSR is the UK's leading specialist medical society for rheumatology and MSK health professionals. To discover how we can support you in delivering the best care for your patients, visit our website.

BSR has published an updated life-course guideline for the prescription and monitoring of conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs).

Find out more via our blog. 

Join guideline working group Chair, Louise Mercer, and group members James Galloway, Katie Bechman, Akhila Kavirayani and Alan Davidson, in a roundtable discussion hosted by Prof Ernest Choy, Editor in Chief of Rheumatology to find out what is included in the publication and what has changed since the 2017 guideline was published. 

Find the video version of this episode on the BSR YouTube channel. 

Read the full guideline and download the handy infographic and audit tool here. 

Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology! Join the conversation on X using #TalkingRheum or tweet us @RheumatologyUK.

BSR is the UK's leading specialist medical society for rheumatology and MSK health professionals. To discover how we can support you in delivering the best care for your patients, visit our website.

Meet the NASS Changemakers

In the second of the INNOVATOR series, host Dr Lizzy MacPhie talks to guests as they discuss three award-winning projects, working between primary and secondary care to improve diagnosis and management for people with inflammatory back pain. With varying size projects, led by different members of the MDT,  there’s something for everyone in this pod. Prepare to be inspired!

Today also marks NASS launching the second round of the Change Maker awards to further recognise healthcare professionals improving diagnostic delay in axial SpA. You can read more about round two including eligibility criteria and the application process by visiting: https://www.actonaxialspa.com/act-on-axial-spa-change-maker-awards/

Our guests include:

Dr Antoni Chan, from Royal Berkshire, a consultant rheumatologist who won a Gold NASS Changemaker Award for his work on the Rheumatology Acadamy and Collaborative Network (RheumACaN) and delivering a gold standard time to diagnosis. PLUS, Dr Chan was also part of the Royal Berkshire NHS Trust team recognised for their outstanding achievement in winning the BSR Best Practice Award 2024. 

James Holland, first contact practitioner (FCP) at Viaduct Care in Stockport, a NASS Champion in Primary Care who won a silver award for his work on local pathways, education and implementation of electronic triage tools.

Niamh Kennedy an advanced practice practitioner (APP) from Belfast Health & Social Care Trust, who won a bronze award for setting up a new early back pain clinic, leading education and implementing a new inflammatory back pain pathway.

Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology! Join the conversation on X using #TalkingRheum or tweet us @RheumatologyUK.

BSR is the UK's leading specialist medical society for rheumatology and MSK health professionals. To discover how we can support you in delivering the best care for your patients, visit our website.

BSR has co-published a living guideline with the British Association of Dermatologists for managing people of all ages with Behçets.
 
Join guideline working group Co-Chairs, Ruth Murphy and Robert Moots, and members Clare Pain, Harry Petrushkin and Steve Higgins in a roundtable discussion hosted by Prof Ernest Choy.

The living guideline is presented as a detailed review with highlighted recommendations for practical use in all appropriate community and hospital settings. The guideline development group (GDG) set out to provide an up-to-date, holistic and evidence-based approach to optimise the management of people with Behçets, factoring in patient values and preferences. 

Read the full guideline and view all the accompanying resources here. 

Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology! Join the conversation on X using #TalkingRheum or tweet us @RheumatologyUK.

BSR is the UK's leading specialist medical society for rheumatology and MSK health professionals. To discover how we can support you in delivering the best care for your patients, visit our website.

How can patient initiated follow-up (PIFU) be successfully used in rheumatology services?

Prof Laura Coates, Dr Mark Perry and Prof Raj Sengupta join Prof Ernest Choy to discuss their experiences of implementing PIFU. They offer some top tips for those starting their PIFU journey and highlight fantastic new resources available via BSR.

Want to find out more? Here are some great resources for you to explore:

• BSR PIFU resources
• PIFU consensus document from Raj, Mark and colleagues
• University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust website, which includes further PIFU videos and resources 

Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology! Join the conversation on X using #TalkingRheum or tweet us @RheumatologyUK.

BSR is the UK's leading specialist medical society for rheumatology and MSK health professionals. To discover how we can support you in delivering the best care for your patients, visit our website.

What is the HLH Network and how is it improving patient care? 

In this inaugural episode of our Innovators mini-series, Dr Alexis Jones, Dr Matt Szeto and Dr Denise De Lord join Dr Lizzy MacPhie to talk about the Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) Network, which won a 2024 BSR Best Practice Award. The network brings together specialists from rheumatology, haematology, infectious diseases and more to provide rapid collaborative care for patients with this challenging diagnosis.  

Our guests discuss the challenges of diagnosing and caring for patients with HLH, how they set up their own MDT networks to address these challenges locally, their Trusts’ improving survival rates, and the new GIRFT HLH pathway.  

Want to find out more? There are lots of HLH resources to explore:  

• Find out more about the team’s award-winning project 
• Listen to our HLH spotlight podcast for essential practical tips from Dr Jessica Manson
• Download a copy of the new GIRFT pathway and guidance document
• Visit the HiHASC website for more resources

Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology! Join the conversation on X using #TalkingRheum or tweet us @RheumatologyUK.

BSR is the UK's leading specialist medical society for rheumatology and MSK health professionals. To discover how we can support you in delivering the best care for your patients, visit our website.

BSR has published an update to the systemic sclerosis guideline, expanded to include paediatric and adolescent patients for the first time.
 
Join guideline working group Chair, Prof Chris Denton, members John Pauling, Bridget Griffiths and Clare Pain, and expert by experience member, Sue Farrington, in a roundtable discussion hosted by Prof Ernest Choy.

Read the full guideline and download the summary pdf here. 

Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology! Join the conversation on X using #TalkingRheum or tweet us @RheumatologyUK.

BSR is the UK's leading specialist medical society for rheumatology and MSK health professionals. To discover how we can support you in delivering the best care for your patients, visit our website.

In this episode, Dr Anastasia Madenidou and Rebecca Heaton talk about the important and exciting role of a pharmacist working in a rheumatology team.  

Please note this careers episode has been previously released through another BSR podcast series. 

Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology! Join the conversation on X using #TalkingRheum or tweet us @RheumatologyUK.

BSR is the UK's leading specialist medical society for rheumatology and MSK health professionals. To discover how we can support you in delivering the best care for your patients, visit our website.

Do you know your First Contact Practitioner from you physiotherapist or osteopath? In this pod Will Gregory (Consultant Physio and BSR Vice President) talks to Sarah Golding (Physio and FCP) about all things FCP including requirements for the role, how it works and links with secondary care Rheumatology.

This is essential listening for those working in FCP roles as much as it is for all working in secondary care Rheumatology to better understand the current primary care MSK landscape.

If you'd like more info check out
https://academic.oup.com/rheumap/article/8/1/rkad109/7467071

Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology! Join the conversation on X using #TalkingRheum or tweet us @RheumatologyUK.

BSR is the UK's leading specialist medical society for rheumatology and MSK health professionals. To discover how we can support you in delivering the best care for your patients, visit our website.

BSR has published an update to the Sjögren disease guideline, expanded to include paediatric and adolescent patients for the first time.
 
Join guideline working group Chair, Liz Price, members Coziana Ciurtin and Benjamin Fisher, and expert by experience member, Bridget Crampton, in a roundtable discussion hosted by Dr Marwan Bukhari.

Please note Dr Bukhari was Editor in Chief of Rheumatology at the time of recording.

Read the full guideline and download the summary pdf here. 

Attendees of BSR Annual Conference 2024 can also attend the Guidelines session on Wednesday 24 April at 11:10 to hear from Liz Price presenting the new guideline.

Thanks for listening to Talking Rheumatology! Join the conversation on X using #TalkingRheum or tweet us @RheumatologyUK.

BSR is the UK's leading specialist medical society for rheumatology and MSK health professionals. To discover how we can support you in delivering the best care for your patients, visit our website.