Arthritis Life

Creating a Better Future for Autoimmune Care With Rheumission’s Dr. Micah Yu & Bonnie Feldman

Episode Summary

In this episode, Cheryl sits down with rheumatologist Micah Yu and passionate patient advocate Dr. Bonnie Feldman to discuss creative ways to improve healthcare for people living with rheumatic disease.

Episode Notes

Cheryl, Dr. Yu and Dr. Feldman share their patient experiences and exploring problems with current healthcare systems. They then share how these problems led them to form creative patient programs and services. Cheryl shares the origin story for her Rheum to THRIVE program, and Dr. Yu and Dr. Feldman share how they created Rheumission,  a virtual first integrative Rheumatology and Lifestyle clinic for people living with autoimmune disease. 

Overall, our passion for reimagining autoimmune care shines through as we highlight gaps in current treatment paradigms, and outline visions for a more inclusive, holistic and effective healthcare model that is proactive versus reactive. 

The discussion concludes with an exploration of cutting-edge advancements in telemedicine and personalized medicine, and all speakers share their best advice for newly diagnosed patients. 

Medical disclaimer: 

All content found on Arthritis Life public channels was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Episode Sponsors

Rheum to THRIVE, an online course and support program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. See all the details and join the program or waitlist now! 

Episode at a Glance:

• Importance of personalized care: we discuss the importance of personalized treatment plans tailored to individual needs, rather than one size fits all solutions.
• Revolutionizing autoimmune care: we explore the potential positive impact of integrating biotech, digital health, and virtual-first approaches to enhance research, diagnostics, and treatment, with Rheumission as an example.
• Multidisciplinary approach: we highlight the importance of team-based care in rheumatology and autoimmune care, where you can see not only a rheumatologist and rheumatology nurse but also get care from a multidisciplinary team (including registered dietitians, mental health therapists, physical and occupational therapists, etc).
• Taking a holistic approach:  we explore the interconnectedness of physical and mental health, addressing lifestyle factors, stress management, and environmental influences.
• Exploring Mental Health: The conversation highlights the well-documented correlation between autoimmune diseases and mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
• Why is accessibility important: we discuss the problem of long waiting times for rheumatology appointments and possible solutions.
• Advocacy for patient involvement: Dr. Bonnie emphasizes the importance of empowering patients to take charge of their health and actively participate in decision-making processes.

For full episode details:

Go to the episode page on the Arthritis Life website for full show notes plus a full transcript, video and more!