The COIN department highlights rheumatology’s relevance to the healthcare community and public by using rheumatic diseases as case studies for treating complex disease, advancing health equity, eliminating health disparities, and improving the quality of patient lives. COIN achieves this by collaborating with a network of organizations to develop, test, and disseminate solutions to complex rheumatology care problems. ACR/ARP members from every aspect of rheumatology can design innovative, scalable project models while also positively impacting their communities and professional development.
Call for Study Participants: Evaluating Digital Health Coaching for Lupus Management
The goal of this study is to evaluate how digital health coaching affects the exercise habits, health, and well-being of Black, African American, and/or Latina women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE patients are encouraged to learn more and participate in the study.
See Study Flyer
See Eligibility and Enrollment Details
COIN Projects
The Lupus Initiative® is a multi-faceted education program designed to reduce disparities and improve outcomes among people with lupus. The initiative is dedicated to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and management of lupus in populations disproportionately affected based on race, ethnicity, and gender. The Lupus Initiative provides complimentary lupus educational resources to educators, healthcare professionals, patients, and supporters.
Materials to Increase Minority Involvement in Clinical Trials is a program to help clinical trial sites and providers to work together to deliver accurate, trusted, and understandable information to people with lupus so they can make informed decisions about participation in clinical trials.
Community Health Worker Lupus Clinical Trials Training (LuCTT) is an online and in-person training course to increase the knowledge and skills of community health workers so they can educate African American and Latino communities on lupus clinical trials and support people with lupus who are navigating the clinical trial and health care systems.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Signs and Symptoms Team Education Program (RA STEP) creates educational opportunities for physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) signs and symptoms. Two ACR member-led work groups are developing online and in-person CME activities focused on educating the provider team on recognizing early signs and symptoms of RA and JIA. Work on the project will begin in winter 2022 and will be completed by September 2023. If you are interested in participating, send your one-page letter of interest by December 7 via email to COIN@rheumatology.org.
Volunteers to Expand Rheumatology Access (VERA) is an exploratory project designed to evaluate the feasibility of developing an information clearinghouse or "bulletin board" that would identify opportunities for rheumatologists to provide volunteer expertise or care to underserved patients.
Uniting Collaborators for Innovation (UCOIN) is a structured process designed to support an energized exchange of innovative ideas leading to the implementation of projects to advance rheumatology and the professional development of association members. Look for periodic calls for letters of interest in eNewsRheum.
Get Involved
ACR/ARP members have the opportunity to get involved with COIN in a variety of ways.
- Innovate – Generate project ideas that have social impact, achieve equity, improve access to care, and advance rheumatology.
- Grow – Guide and learn from colleagues. Respond to calls for interest. Edit educational content. Serve as an expert reviewer or guest. Lead or support project implementation.
- Access – Utilize the resources available on our web pages to benefit yourself, your patients, your students, and your community - and share them with colleagues and collaborators.
If you are interested in participating or have an idea for a future COIN project, contact the Collaborative Initiatives department at COIN@rheumatology.org.