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Experts in Arthritis Session to Help Patients Become Champions for Their Care
Free session scheduled for April 25 as part of
AOTA’s Annual Conference & Expo
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions are the second most common musculoskeletal disease among adults and often lead to serious disabilities. It is estimated that 46 million Americans have arthritis (including 300,000 children), with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and juvenile arthritis the most common types. There is no cure for arthritis; however, current treatments and increased understanding about ways to manage the disease have created significant improvements in quality of life for people with arthritis.
“Experts in Arthritis” is an enduring nationwide program that provides the opportunity for people with arthritis to meet with world-class experts in arthritis care. A session will take place from 1-3 p.m., April 25, at the JW Marriott Indianapolis, Grand Ballroom 7, 10 South West Street, Indianapolis, IN.
The session is sponsored by the U.S. Bone and Joint Initiative and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and is being held in conjunction with AOTA’s 92nd Annual Conference & Expo.
The objective of Experts in Arthritis is to provide people with arthritis accurate information about treatment options, thus improving their ability to self-manage their disease and live their lives to the fullest. This session offers an opportunity for arthritis experts from different disciplines to dialogue with people with arthritis from the local community.
During the “Talk About” session, experts will offer education and answer questions about current scientific evidence for the treatment and self-management of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and juvenile arthritis.
Nancy A. Baker, ScD, MPH, OTR/L, Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, will lead a panel of local and national experts including: J. Michael Condit, MD, Rheumatology Associates, P.C. & Osteoporosis Center; Susan Lin, ScD, OTR/L, Director of Research for the American Occupational Therapy Association; Douglas B. Smith, MD, Rheumatology Associates, P.C. & Osteoporosis Center; Karen Wood, PT, Senior Physical Therapist at Body One Physical Therapy; and Christopher Wu, MD, Indiana University Health Physicians.
“People with arthritis need to be the leaders of their care by taking control of their arthritis and becoming the champion of the team of experts that will treat them,” said Baker. “Knowledge about arthritis helps people with arthritis to be in charge. Self-management provides control of the disease by providing people with confidence in their ability to live an active and independent life. Often, people with arthritis are not aware of all the possibilities that exist for coping with the challenges of their disease. Occupational therapists work with people with arthritis to provide them with methods of dealing with their limitations, allowing them to live life to its fullest.”
Experts in Arthritis is held in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Occupational Therapy Association, American Physical Therapy Association, Arthritis Foundation, Centers For Disease Control and Prevention—Arthritis Program, National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses, and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
“This is a unique opportunity for participants to interact with experts because the panelists will be able to frame answers to what specifically concerns patients,” said Toby King, Executive Director of the U.S. Bone and Joint Initiative. “Patients will also be able to see what other patients’ concerns are and expand their thinking about musculoskeletal diseases.”
The session is free and open to the public, however, registration is recommended. Journalists are invited to schedule a pre-interview with any of the panel experts to gain public interest or attend the session and report on the medical advancements and tips.
More than 5,000 occupational therapy practitioners, educators and students will gather in Indianapolis April 26-29, 2012, to attend the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference & Expo. In addition to the Experts in Arthritis session, journalists can attend more than 650 expert-led workshops and lectures on research and occupational therapy practice. For more information on the Conference, visit www.aota.org.
To schedule an interview with an arthritis expert associated with this session, call AOTA Media Relations Manager Katie Riley, 301-652-6611, ext. 2963 or e-mail, kriley@aota.org.
Founded in 1917, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) represents the professional interests and concerns of more than 140,000 occupational therapists, assistants, and students nationwide. The Association educates the public and advances the profession of occupational therapy by providing resources, setting standards including accreditations, and serving as an advocate to improve health care. Based in Bethesda, Md., AOTA’s major programs and activities are directed toward promoting the professional development of its members and assuring consumer access to quality services so patients can maximize their individual potential. For more information, go to www.aota.org.
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