Pulmonary vasculitis is another concerning condition because an otherwise negligible cough can turn into massive pulmonary hemorrhage very quickly.
Q: Do you have tips about dealing with ER doctors, primary doctors and others who may be involved with an emergency?
A: Rheumatologists think differently from other specialists. We are cognitive specialists and think more in the long term. Emergency medicine doctors are more concerned about the short term and how to deal with more immediate issues.
Signposting concerns is essential to optimizing communication. Education of other physicians is also important because more frequently than not, patients with rheumatologic diseases present very differently.
Lastly, there’s a very fine line between advocating for patients and overstepping your bounds as a consultant rheumatologist. Maintaining close collaboration and establishing clear and open lines of communication can prevent this.
Dr. Kumar has no relevant disclosures.