TY - JOUR T1 - Introduction JF - The Journal of Rheumatology JO - J Rheumatol SP - 962 LP - 968 DO - 10.3899/jrheum.190105 VL - 46 IS - 8 AU - LYN MARCH AU - BETHAN RICHARDS AU - MICHAEL GILL AU - PETER M. BROOKS AU - BEVERLEY J. SHEA AU - DORCAS E. BEATON AU - LARA J. MAXWELL AU - SEAN R. TUNIS AU - SHAWNA GROSSKLEG AU - PETER TUGWELL Y1 - 2019/08/01 UR - http://www.jrheum.org/content/46/8/962.abstract N2 - In May of 2018, the biennial Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) Conference took place in Australia. OMERACT is an international network of health professionals focused on outcome measurement across randomized controlled trials and longitudinal observational studies1. The objective of OMERACT is to improve outcome measures through a data-driven, iterative consensus process that first reaches consensus on the core domains to be measured and then aims to reach consensus on the instruments that meet the OMERACT criteria to be recommended as part of a core outcome measurement set2. At this biennial international meeting, participants gather in a collegial interactive environment to develop and reach consensus on the core sets of patient-important outcomes for clinical studies in rheumatology through workshop activities and plenary voting.It was an honor for the local organizing committee to host the OMERACT 2018 conference in Terrigal, Australia. Terrigal, “the place of little birds,” is the traditional land of the Darkingjung people. OMERACT was fortunate to be welcomed to the country by local Elder Gavi, have an opportunity to view artworks, artifacts, and bush medicine samples, and to witness traditional dances from indigenous students from the local high school.There were numerous innovations and “firsts” at OMERACT 2018. In the lead-up to the meeting, for the first time, premeeting Webinars were hosted by the OMERACT Patient Leadership team3 to prepare patients for their active participation in their groups before, during, and after the meeting. The newly formed Technical Advisory Group reviewed all presenting groups’ workbooks prior to the meeting. The OMERACT secretariat held regular calls and virtual meetings to monitor and facilitate progress for the working groups (WG) seeking a vote at the meeting. So much input behind the scenes helped bring the meeting to fruition!This year, a premeeting4 interactive discussion … ER -