Brian LaMoreaux, MD: Practicing Rheumatology During and After COVID-19

While it is safe to say the role of telemedicine will never be the same in the wake of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, not every specialist has been able to take their practices completely virtual.

Many of these specialists are rheumatologists—who, due to the nature of the diseases they treat, cannot always effectively assess their patients through telemedicine as they could with a traditional in-person visit.

“When these things first start, its really tough to have an idea of how widespread it’s going to become, how much it is going to impact our daily lives,” said Brian Lamoreaux, MD, a medical director with Horizon Therapeutics in a recent interview with HCPLive®. “I think it’s safe to say we have that answer now.”

With rheumatic conditions requiring such an intimate relationship with patients, the challenges faced by rheumatologists during the ongoing outbreak have been unique. Couple this with a surge in hydroxychloroquine prescriptions, which is a staple in the treatment of patients with lupus, and rheumatologists have been confronted with a myriad of obstacles to overcome in recent months.

To learn more about the unique challenges facing rheumatologists during this difficult time, HCPLive invited LaMoreaux to take part in an HCPLive House Call. In addition to his role with Horizon Therapeutics, LaMoreaux also lends his time and expertise at a clinic in Chicago.

The following segment from the aforementioned HCPLive House Call examines the adoption of telemedicine in rheumatology and the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the field.