Do we need autoimmune disease units in hospitals?

Area of Science:

• Autoimmunology
• Clinical Immunology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Autoimmune diseases are rising globally, leading to significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expenses.
• Biological therapies offer new treatment avenues but incur high iatrogenic costs.
• Current practice in autoimmunology is heterogeneous, involving multiple medical specialties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the need for dedicated autoimmunology physicians.
• To explore the creation of a new specialty or competency in autoimmunology.
• To standardize and harmonize clinical practice in autoimmunology.

Main Methods:

• Inquiry into current practices within autoimmunology.
• Analysis of heterogeneity in clinical practice across specialties.
• Consideration of a transversal competency model.

Main Results:

• The practice of autoimmunology is currently fragmented across specialties like internal medicine, rheumatology, and neurology.
• High heterogeneity exists within clinical immunology practice.
• A need for standardized training and practice in autoimmunology is identified.

Conclusions:

• A transversal competency in autoimmunology is proposed to standardize clinical practice.
• Defining a core curriculum is essential for this competency.
• Hospitals should establish dedicated autoimmune disease units to improve care and collaboration.