http://www.rheumatology.org/students/index.asp?aud=stu
What is rheumatology?
Rheumatology encompasses the autoimmune diseases, arthritis, and musculoskeletal conditions. While rheumatologists are generally thought to be specialists dedicated to rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and scleroderma, we also care for patients with a wide array of systemic, inflammatory, autoimmune diseases as well as very common musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., osteoarthritis and osteoporosis) and sports-related injuries.
What does a rheumatologist do?
Rheumatologists are the ultimate physician-detectives. We are often called upon by our colleagues to help diagnose very ill patients with unusual constellations of symptoms, physical findings, and laboratory abnormalities. While some disciplines are limited in the scope of organ involvement that they encounter (e.g. the heart in cardiology), rheumatologists care for patients with a wide range of organ involvement from the musculoskeletal system alone in osteoarthritis to multisystem involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) or vascultis.
We are also direct the therapy of patients with conditions that have, until recently, carried substantial risk for death and/or disability. The research in our field has led to discoveries of disease mechanisms that have enabled an explosion in therapeutic options, allowing us to make a substantial impact on both survival and quality of life in our patients.
While a clinical rheumatologist often functions as a consultant, he/ she also enjoys the ongoing management of patients in continuity practices. We establish long-lasting relationships with our patients, often participating in the care of multiple generations of the same family.
Some rheumatologists are physician-scientists, combining patient-care and research activities, while others have dedicated their careers to the excitement of scientific investigation. Still others are key personnel in the pharmaceutical industry and in governmental agencies.
The very nature of the field of rheumatology involves life-long learning, and rheumatologists have traditionally held leadership roles as teachers. Whether in the field of academic medicine or in community-based educational programs, rheumatologists enjoy sharing their exciting knowledge base.
What training is required to become a rheumatologist?
As career options are considered, medical students and internal medicine residents often enjoy electives in rheumatology in clinical settings and in the research laboratory. Since rheumatology is a subspecialty of internal medicine (IM) or pediatrics, IM or pediatric training is required prior to entry into a rheumatology fellowship program. Rheumatology fellowship training programs are a minimum of two years in length, with additional years to pursue research training if so desired. Upon completion of the fellowship training program, candidates are eligible to achieve board certification in both IM and rheumatology.
Why is rheumatology a highly desirable career option?
The field is on the "cutting edge" of discovery and practice...newer biologic therapies have revolutionized the care of patients with systemic inflammatory disorders.
We are experts in a field ranging from very interesting and complicated multisystem disease processes to very common conditions.
We are able to establish long-lasting relationships with our patients.
We are able to have a meaningful impact on quality-of-life issues for our patients.
We are able to achieve an excellent quality of life for ourselves and our families... practices are tailored to lifestyle choices and we have fewer emergencies in our field compared to many others!
Practice options abound...as our knowledge and treatment options expand, and as the population ages, we are in demand!
