PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Vasco C Romão
AU  - Inês Cordeiro
AU  - Carla Macieira
AU  - Filipa Oliveira-Ramos
AU  - José Carlos Romeu
AU  - Carlos Miranda Rosa
AU  - Maria João Saavedra
AU  - Fernando Saraiva
AU  - Elsa Vieira-Sousa
AU  - João Eurico Fonseca
TI  - Rheumatology practice amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: a pragmatic view
AID  - 10.1136/rmdopen-2020-001314
DP  - 2020 Jun 01
TA  - RMD Open
PG  - e001314
VI  - 6
IP  - 2
4099  - http://rmdopen.bmj.com/content/6/2/e001314.short
4100  - http://rmdopen.bmj.com/content/6/2/e001314.full
SO  - RMD Open2020 Jun 01; 6
AB  - The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has come with many challenges for healthcare providers and patients alike. In addition to the direct burden it has placed on societies and health systems, it had a significant impact in the care of patients with chronic diseases, as healthcare resources were deployed to fight the crisis, and major travel and social restrictions were adopted. In the field of rheumatology, this has required notable efforts from departments and clinicians to adapt to the novel status quo and assure the follow-up of patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. In the present viewpoint, we provide a practical approach to tackle this reality. Key measures include setting up preventive team management strategies, optimising communication with patients and reorganising patient care in all its dimensions. We then anticipate the nuances of rheumatology practice as restrictive measures are progressively lifted, while an effective vaccine is still pending. This includes the need to reimpose the same strategy as further waves unfold. Finally, we look ahead and address the lessons we can incorporate into post-COVID-19 rheumatology.