![]() Ultimately, a rheumatologist’s role in treating RA is to prevent joint damage or limit it as much as possible through aggressive, targeted treatments. Once a diagnosis of RA is confirmed, the rheumatologist recommends ongoing medical treatments and monitors the patient regularly.įor patients with RA, rheumatologists assist with the treatment of its many symptoms, including joint pain, swelling and inflammation, stiffness, and deformities. Some that are similar, yet must be treated differently, are lupus, Lyme disease, and relapse polychondritis. What do Rheumatologists Help With?īecause they studied in rheumatology specifically, rheumatologists are the physicians best able to diagnose a variety of rheumatic conditions (such as RA and osteoarthritis) by examining symptoms, performing medical tests, and asking specific questions of their patients.Īs part of this process, the rheumatologist must also rule out other conditions which have the same type of joint pain or fatigue as RA. According to these numbers, the rheumatologist salary is quite a bit lower than some specialties, like those practicing in cardiology or obstetrics and gynecology, but a little higher than others, such as for the doctors who specialize in treating allergies or pediatrics. PayScale salary information places this rheumatology specialty’s median slightly lower, closer to $205,000. One of the main providers of these types of trainings and educational classes is the American College of Rheumatology.Īccording to Medscape, salary for practicing rheumatologists averages around $234,000 annually. Rheumatologists must also undergo annual continuing medical education courses and ongoing training to keep their skills and knowledge of rheumatologic diseases current and up to date. They may do this by opening an individual rheumatology practice, by joining other established rheumatology practitioners, or by working for a hospital which has a rheumatology division, such as Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Massachusetts or Detroit Medical Center’s Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, located in Michigan. Once certified, the new rheumatology attending may begin offering treatment on their own. ![]() This is usually an additional two to three year training period and is meant to provide a strong rheumatology foundation for the soon-to-be attending physician.Īfter completion of their education and fellowship, the student must then pass a certification exam (which has to be retaken every ten years) to officially become a board certified rheumatologist. Once their residency is completed, student rheumatologists must then undergo further specialized training through a rheumatology fellowship. What Qualifications do Rheumatologists Have?Īs physicians specializing in rheumatology (which Merriam-Webster defines as “a medical science dealing with rheumatic diseases”), rheumatologists are medical professionals who have first obtained a bachelor’s degree, then completed medical school, and, after that, gone on to perform their residency, training in internal medicine or, if at a child hospital, in pediatrics. Obtaining a RA diagnosis may require several visits on your part, but once the rheumatologist identifies and analyzes your symptoms, he or she can better determine the exact diagnosis and treatment options most suitable for you, the patient. However, because of their advanced knowledge in this area, rheumatologists are often able to detect early signs of RA and other forms of arthritis that other doctors may not be able to initially identify. Additionally, it can easily be confused with other conditions which have similar symptoms, such as lupus and Lyme disease. RA is a complex connective tissue disease, making it difficult to diagnose in its early stages. Rheumatologists have experience in treating many different forms of arthritis-such as RA, osteoarthritis, and psoriatic arthritis-with a specialty focused on musculoskeletal diseases and systemic autoimmune conditions that affect the joints, bones, and muscles. ![]() This enables him or her to better diagnose, treat, and care for patients suffering from a variety of rheumatic diseases. What is a Rheumatologist?Ī rheumatologist is a physician or pediatrician who is trained in the area of rheumatology. The rheumatologist also recommends and prescribes the medical treatments needed to slow or possibly even stop the disease from progressing, helps the patient manage symptoms (such as joint pain, stiffness, fatigue, and fever), and monitors the patient on an ongoing basis. Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) in 2008 from UT Health San Antonio, Surgeon at TRACC Dallasħ min read Rheumatology: What Should I Expect When I See a Rheumatologist?Ī rheumatologist is a vital part of a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient’s healthcare team as he or she is the physician best able to diagnose the initial condition.
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