Turning 18 doesn’t mean that a young person is suddenly ready to manage a lifelong illness alone. Between 25 and 75 percent of young people with rheumatic diseases experience a gap in care or are lost to follow-up after moving into the adult system — even though most will require ongoing treatment and monitoring.

Join pediatric rheumatologist Dr. Michelle Batthish as she chats with our hosts Dr. Janet Pope and Dr. Daniel Ennis about why transition should be a gradual process rather than a single transfer of care.

They explore how clinicians can assess readiness, help patients become more independent with appointments and medications, and support parents as their role changes. They also discuss young-adult rheumatology (YARD) clinics, the reasons patients are lost to follow-up, and the importance of addressing mental health, relationships, and the other pressures facing young adults.

Dr. Michelle Batthish is a pediatric rheumatologist at McMaster Children’s Hospital and associate professor of pediatrics at McMaster University. She is a CanChild scientist and chairs the Canadian Rheumatology Association’s Transition Working Group. Her research focuses on healthcare transition and quality improvement in pediatric rheumatology.

Dr. Daniel Ennis is a rheumatologist and clinical faculty member in the Division of Rheumatology at the University of British Columbia.

Dr. Janet Pope is a professor of medicine at Western University and division head of rheumatology at St. Joseph’s Health Care London. Her research focuses on systemic sclerosis, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Around The Rheum is produced by the CRA Communications Committee. A special thank you to the podcast team, Dr. Dax G. Rumsey (CRA Communications Committee Chair), Dr. Daniel Ennis (Host), Dr. Janet Pope (Host), David McGuffin of ExploreProductions.ca and Erin Stewart (CRA) for leading production.

Our theme music was composed by Aaron Fontwell.

For more on the work of the Canadian Rheumatology Association, visit rheum.ca

In this episode of Around the Rheum, hosts Dr. Daniel Ennis and Dr. Janet Pope sit down with Dr. Luke Chen for a deep dive into an approach to patients presenting with hypereosinophilia. Recorded at the Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA)’s 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting in Halifax, the conversation explores how hematologists, rheumatologists, allergists, infectious disease specialists, and others work together to diagnose and manage these complex disorders.

Dr. Chen discusses the broad differential diagnosis behind eosinophilia — from Eosinophilic Granulomatosus with Polyangiitis (EGPA) and IgG4-related disease to parasitic infections to rare hematologic disorders to 'Idiopathic' Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (I-HES) — and the uncertainty clinicians often face when distinguishing overlapping eosinophilic diseases. The discussion also highlights emerging therapies including IL-5 inhibitors, JAK inhibitors, interferon, and biologics, alongside the practical realities of access to treatment in rare disease care.

Thoughtful, practical, and candid, this episode offers insight into multidisciplinary medicine, diagnostic humility, and caring for patients living with rare inflammatory diseases. It touches on the importance of being okay with uncertainty in the rare disease space.

Dr. Luke Chen is a hematologist and Professor of Medicine at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. His clinical and research interests focus on rare inflammatory diseases and eosinophilic disorders. He is the founder of the Coastal Rare Inflammatory Diseases Program, supporting physicians caring for patients with rare diseases across Canada.

Around The Rheum is produced by the CRA Communications Committee. A special thank you to the podcast team, Dr. Dax G. Rumsey (CRA Communications Committee Chair), Dr. Daniel Ennis (Host), Dr. Janet Pope (Host), David McGuffin of Explore Productions, and Erin Stewart (CRA) for leading production.

Our theme music was composed by Aaron Fontwell.

For more on the work of the Canadian Rheumatology Association, visit rheum.ca.

In this episode, Dr. Proton Rahman reflects on his journey from patient with spondyloarthritis to internationally recognized rheumatologist and newly appointed member of the Order of Canada. He shares how his lived experience shapes his approach to patient care, offering insight into empathy, trust, and connection in chronic disease management.

Dr. Rahman also discusses the influence of key mentors — including Dr. Dafna Gladman, herself an Officer of the Order of Canada — in shaping his path into research and his work in the genetics of psoriatic arthritis and beyond! The conversation highlights the shift toward polygenic risk and the ongoing challenge of translating genetic discoveries into clinical practice.

Looking ahead, Dr. Rahman explores the future of rheumatology, emphasizing precision medicine, improved diagnostics, and more effective use of existing therapies. A thoughtful discussion on humility, mentorship, and the evolving complexity of modern rheumatology.

Dr. Proton Rahman is Clinical Chief of Rheumatology at Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services and John Lewis Distinguished Professor at Memorial University. A global expert in spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis, his research focuses on the genetics of inflammatory arthritis and its translation into improved patient care. He is a recent appointee as a Member of the Order of Canada.

Around The Rheum is produced by the CRA Communications Committee. A special thank you to the podcast team, Dr. Dax G. Rumsey (CRA Communications Committee Chair), Dr. Daniel Ennis (Host), Dr. Janet Pope (Host) David McGuffin (exploreproductions.ca),

and Erin Stewart (CRA) for leading production.

Our theme music was composed by Aaron Fontwell.

For more on the work of the Canadian Rheumatology Association, visit rheum.ca