About JCR
Japan College of Rheumatology and beyond • • •
Following the 11th term of the Japan College of Rheumatology (JCR), I was consecutively appointed as the President for the 12th term. It is a great honor to serve as President of the JCR, which was established in 1957 with a history of about 70 years, and I am also humbled by the significant responsibility entrusted to me. I deeply appreciate your continued support and guidance.
Now, rheumatology has been exposed to dramatic changes, such as the pathogenesis elucidated by significantly advanced immunology and the therapeutic revolution led by the introduction of molecular target therapies. In such a trend of the world, the JCR has discussed numerous issues, with particular focuses on the following five points in terms of establishing a foundation as the starting point for further progress of rheumatology, the JCR, medical care, “and beyond.”
Yoshiya Tanaka
JCR President
JCR President
1. Establishment of training programs for pre- and post-graduation In order to secure young generation who aim to pursue their career in rheumatology, it is urgently necessary to establish training programs for pre-med school graduation, postgraduate specialties, and specialized practitioners. In cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), we will establish the training system to provide high-level rheumatologic treatment, equally throughout the nation, by offering systemic autoimmune disease/rheumatology lectures with professors assigned at all universities, and coexistence and fulfillment with board-certified specialist and JCR specialists. We also have requested MHLW to advertise JCR-certified specialists.
2. Significance of existence as academia We will also cooperate with the MHLW research group to prepare the Clinical Practice Guidelines for each Connective Tissue Disease/Rheumatoid Arthritis, etc. which will be revised and authorized by the JCR. We will also lead appropriate medical care from the perspectives of safety, efficacy, economy, and treatments for refractory and complicated cases. In addition, we will establish an Epidemiological Study Committee to investigate the actual status of each disease in Japan. We will establish the significance of existence as academia in cooperation with the Guideline Committee, Investigation and Research Committee, and the Editing Committee.
3. Development of a global system that can lead the world In order to follow rapid advances in rheumatology, it is necessary to establish a system that can lead Asia and the world by cooperating with the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR), and Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR). We will work nationwide across fields of basic, clinical, and foundation to make JCR a society that can deliver new knowledge to the world. We will further expand our activities of the International, Basic and Clinical Research Promotion Committee, J-STAR Committee.
4. Youth consolidation and information technology promotion There is an urgent need to establish a foundation to secure young generation who aim to pursue their career in rheumatology. We will organize the J-STAR with Basic Research (BR), Clinical Research (CR), and International Relationship (IR), to strengthen communications between each committee and the youth in overseas. To this end, we will promote the information technology for JCR members, both Japan and overseas, patients, and the public by utilizing SNS, etc. effectively.
5. Improvement of social insurance system We have requested the MHLW for guidance fees, management fees, premiums, etc. that are necessary for care support, and within the Social Insurance Committee, we have established the following subcommittees: Social Insurance Union of Societies Related to Internal Medicine-related, Japanese Health Insurance Federation for Surgery-related, Hospitalization Insurance, Drug Stable Supply Review, and Treatment Promotion by Rheumatology Team; aiming to improve medical care quality and clinical practice. We hope to stabilize the treatment foundation for the JCR members.
For further development, it is essential to raise awareness of JCR members, and to engage in social activities, assistance, and support. In addition to the transparency as an organization, it is also necessary to strengthen the social infrastructure such as conflict of interest management, aiming to conduct operations that can be understood not only by members but also by the public. We will do my best for the advancement of JCR as well as rheumatology and for the social contribution to patients. We appreciate your great support and cooperation.
Aims
The aims of the JCR are to reduce the burden of rheumatic diseases on individuals and society by sharing knowledge of the pathogenesis of rheumatology so that the treatment, prevention and rehabilitation of rheumatic diseases can be improved. To this end, JCR fosters excellence in education and research in the field of rheumatology. It promotes basic science and clinical research, as well as the translation of research advances into daily care, and fights for the recognition of the needs of people with rheumatic diseases.