This article is only available in the PDF format. Download the PDF to view the article, as well as its associated figures and tables.
—The editorials that both Dr Rothschild and I recently published in the January Archives emphasized a similar point, ie, that the art, as well as the science, of rheumatic disease treatment requires greater educational efforts in this country.
There is no question that the techniques of chronic disease care need emphasis. The various other subspecialty disciplines may want to realign their priorities to look at the chronic disease aspects of management of such common disorders as atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and others. I am not sure I can argue for a chronic disease clinic as you suggest, but rather, that the concepts of chronic disease be universally brought into existing programs at the medical school and at the postgraduate level. Certainly, rheumatology programs have recognized this aspect and properly emphasized it, and should continue to do so.
The problems that Dr Rothschild and I identify are the need for either