17 February 2025
As we approach this year’s Annual Conference, we caught up with our President, Jo Ledingham, to walk us through some of her key highlights from an incredible programme. Whether you’re attending in person or joining remotely, there’s a packed schedule designed to engage and inspire everyone in the rheumatology community.
The programme is now available for you to explore, and I want to extend my thanks to the Heberden Committee for their dedication in curating such an exciting and diverse agenda. As always, selecting just a few highlights is a challenge, but here are some standout sessions that I’m particularly looking forward to:
The (Langu)Age of the Chatbot: An Update on Artificial Intelligence in Rheumatology
AI is reshaping healthcare, and this session dives into one of the most talked-about developments—the rise of Large Language Models (LLMs). Experts, led by Barbara Hauser and Jordan Tsigarides will discuss what LLMs are, how they are (or aren’t) being used in healthcare today, and the ethical implications of integrating these powerful tools into rheumatology practice.
Debate: ‘Should ultrasound be a mandatory part of the rheumatology training curriculum’
Ultrasound is becoming increasingly integral to rheumatology service delivery, particularly in early arthritis and GCA pathways. While current guidelines encourage trainees to gain ultrasound experience, formal training isn’t guaranteed. This debate will explore whether ultrasound should be made a mandatory part of rheumatology training and what that could mean for the future of education in our specialty.
Following on from a fantastic debate last year, it will be great to see Richard J. Wakefield, Iain Goff and Kiran Khokhar on stage together.
Talking Rheumatology Live: Addressing burnout and poor mental health in the rheumatology MDT
The Talking Rheumatology podcasts have gone from strength to strength over the last year, with over 30,000 downloads in 2024. It's only fitting that we have another live podcast recording at our conference. Burnout and mental health challenges among rheumatology professionals are growing concerns. Expert speakers will discuss stress, burnout, and mental health across the MDT and the wider NHS. They’ll also introduce strategies and tools to build emotional resilience, along with examples of Trust-wide investments in staff well-being.
Showcasing BSR guideline updates for people of all ages
This session will provide key insights into the latest BSR guidelines, including updates on axial spondyloarthritis, conventional synthetic DMARDs, systemic sclerosis (SSC), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Speakers will explain the evidence-based approach behind these guidelines and how they now encompass recommendations across all age groups to support the management of paediatric, adolescent, and adult patients alike.
The conference continues to evolve to ensure engaging, interactive, and relevant content for the entire rheumatology community.
If you haven’t already registered, I strongly encourage you to do so—whether in person or online.
View the full programme and secure your place for this year’s Annual Conference today