A recent real-world outcomes (RWO) study has shown that participation in a structured online continuing medical education (CME) curriculum significantly improved clinicians’ use of JAK inhibitors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) following inadequate response or intolerance to anti-TNF therapy, researchers reported at ACR Convergence.

The study included 654 rheumatologists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who completed at least 1 of 4 CME activities between March and August 2024. These activities featured panel discussions, patient simulation case studies, and video vignettes designed to replicate real-world decision-making.

Three months after participation, clinicians in the CME group were 20% more likely to select evidence-based, individualized pharmacologic therapy for patients with RA who had failed a TNF inhibitor. Most notably, patients of CME participants were 26% more likely to be switched to a JAK inhibitor compared with patients of matched nonlearners (P < .05).

“Learners who participated in one or more activity were more likely to switch patients to JAK inhibitors following an anti-TNF therapy,” the authors reported. This behavior change reflects alignment with updated treatment guidelines recommending targeted therapies for patients with prior biologic failure

Learners and nonlearners were matched by specialty, geographic region, patient panel size, and biologic prescribing patterns. Data were collected from aggregated medical and pharmacy claims over a 6-month window surrounding the index CME participation date.

The study concludes that “participation in one or more CME activities within a curriculum is associated with improving the adoption of the latest evidence-based recommendations for use of novel therapies such as JAK inhibitors.”

For rheumatology clinicians, these findings underscore the value of interactive, case-based education in translating new therapeutic insights into meaningful practice change and better individualized care for patients with RA.

 Reference
Mehta N, Lucero K, Green F, Badal K. Effect of online continuing education on advancing care for rheumatoid arthritis: a real-world outcome analysis [abstract]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2025; 77 (suppl 9). https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/effect-of-online-continuing-education-on-advancing-care-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-a-real-world-outcome-analysis/