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Rheumatology is the medical specialty concerned with diagnosis and holistic management of people, including the elderly and children, with diseases that affect joints, muscles, and bones, including multi-system and autoimmune conditions. Rheumatic disorders include forms of arthritis, autoimmune connective tissue disease, spinal and soft tissue disorders and some metabolic bone disorders, such as osteoporosis and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Clinical practice involves pain management, reduction of inflammation, and preservation of musculoskeletal function. Rheumatology is practiced in a variety of inpatient, outpatient and community settings, including private practices, public hospitals, or in conjunction with primary care providers, research and academia, or community and allied health services. Rheumatology expertise is relevant to the clinical practice areas of general medicine, nuclear medicine, aged care, or sports medicine. Rheumatic diseases impact on patients’ lives, including their ability to work and participate in wider social/community activities. Rheumatology practice involves early diagnosis and aggressive treatment of inflammation to help prevent long-term pain and disability. It utilises clinical examination, including laboratory-based testing, and imaging techniques, to help guide an accurate diagnosis. Treatments include a range of conventional disease modifying medicines, such as anti-metabolites, ‘biological’ agents, steroids and coordination of physiotherapy and other therapies.

Rheumatology Jobs

Rheumatologists diagnose and treat diseases that affect joints, muscles, and bones such as arthritis, autoimmune diseases and musculoskeletal conditions, which are collectively known as rheumatic diseases. They treat many forms of arthritis, gout, joint and general pain disorders like fibromyalgia. Rheumatologists undertake assessments and investigations, including a range of “screening” laboratory tests such as blood count, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides, radiology and ultrasound, or renal function testing. These investigations help the Rheumatologist understand the type and extent of disease, to make an accurate diagnosis, and create an appropriate management plan. Treatment options include surgery, medications and physical therapy, within a holistic, psychosocial and integrated approach to patient care. Rheumatologists often build long-term relationships with their patients due to the chronic nature of rheumatic disease and play an important role in providing transitionary care of paediatric patients as they grow older. Rheumatologists work in both acute care and outpatient secondary care settings. They manage rheumatological emergencies, complex drug-regimes and conditions involving multiple co-morbidities in conjunction with primary care and other hospital-based specialists. To pursue a career as a Rheumatologist, doctors complete foundation and core training, followed by specialty Rheumatology training, which takes approximately 4 years to complete, is approved for a dual CCT with Internal Medicine, and leads to specialty registration with the GMC.

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Registrars (rheumatology) are doctors who are undertaking specialised training in Rheumatology and its clinical practice. They work under Rheumatologists and develop technical skills, procedural skills and clinical expertise in this field. They gain valuable work experience in providing specialist care and services to patients with rheumatological conditions. They work in collaboration with the wider medical team, where they support junior members and receive support from senior staff.

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Nurse – community health

Nurse – primary health care