Choose Rheumatology
What Is Rheumatology?
Rheumatology, a specialty of adult and pediatric internal medicine devoted to the diagnosis and management of over 100 complex and interesting diseases, is the study of inflammation that occurs in the bones, muscles, and joints, and sometimes the internal organs (e.g., kidneys, lungs, blood vessels, brain). The most common rheumatic disease is arthritis. Other examples of complex diseases on the rheumatology spectrum are systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and Sjögren’s disease.
What Does a Rheumatology Professional Do?
Rheumatology professionals detect, diagnose, treat, and medically manage patients with arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. Because these diseases are often complex, rheumatic disease patients benefit from the care of a specialist. Only rheumatology professionals are experts in this field of medicine.
Rheumatology professionals assess:
- Signs and symptoms, including systemic involvement by a rheumatic disease
- Joint disorders
- Overall function, including physical and mental well-being and level of independence
- Results of advanced imaging and lab tests
- Treatment options
- Need for more assessment and treatment, such as referrals to other healthcare professionals, orthopedic aids or corrective surgery, and hospital stays
Rheumatology professionals also advocate for patients in healthcare and the community. As a group, they support laws that promote patient rights and patient-centered care. They teach patients, families, and members of the community about living with a rheumatic disease. Topics can include medications, coping mechanisms, techniques for preventing disability or regaining function, and ways to improve quality of life.
Careers in Rheumatology
There are many different roles within rheumatology, from being a rheumatologist, a pharmacist, a nurse practitioner, a researcher, and more. The paths to and settings of each role can look very different. View roles of the rheumatology healthcare team >
Similar to the varied roles within rheumatology, there are also many different work settings. The most common work settings are within an academic medical center or a private practice. Rheumatology professionals can also work in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, the government, or a lab. Many rheumatology professionals also train in pediatric rheumatology, working with children and adolescent patients.
What Training Is Required?
After earning a medical degree (MD or DO in the United States), rheumatologists complete a residency program in internal medicine or pediatrics. They spend another two or three years in specialized rheumatology training. After completing rheumatology fellowship training, they must pass a rigorous national exam. For adult rheumatologists, the subspecialty exam is conducted by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). For pediatric rheumatologists, the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) conducts the exam.
For nonphysicians, such as advanced practice providers (APPs) like nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician associates (PAs), training may include completion of an undergraduate degree plus a graduate-level program leading to a master’s degree.
Why Choose Rheumatology?
Rheumatology can be a very challenging, yet rewarding, career option. There are major benefits, including:
- Long-term patient care and relationships
- Favorable work-life balance
- A warm, welcoming professional community
- Team-based approach to care
- Few or no night/weekend hospital calls
- Lifelong learning and investigation
There is no better time than now to enter the rheumatology field. An ongoing rheumatology workforce shortage issue continues to negatively impact both rheumatology professionals and—most importantly—patient outcomes. However, you can make a difference by choosing rheumatology as your specialty.
Pursuing a Career in Rheumatology
Join ACR/ARP
If you are interested in a career in rheumatology, start by becoming an ACR or ARP student/resident member. Joining the ACR/ARP unlocks insight into new and ongoing educational opportunities, research publications, scholarship information, and more—and the best part is, student/resident membership is free!
Apply for a Scholarship, Grant, or Award
The Rheumatology Research Foundation offers several funding opportunities for undergraduate students, medical students, residents, and more. There are several awards that allow students and residents to experience ACR Convergence, such as the Choose Rheumatology scholarship.
The ACR also offers the Pediatric Rheumatology Residents Program for pediatric residents looking to learn more about rheumatology at ACR Convergence.
These opportunities are only available to ACR/ARP members, so joining is an important first step to interest in a rheumatology career.
Browse Open Rheumatology Jobs
The ACR provides a free career service to its members, the ACR CareerConnection, which offers job alerts, a résumé builder, career coaching, and more.
Project LEAD
The Leadership Education And Development of Underrepresented in Medicine Medical Students Project (Project LEAD) is an initiative of the Rheumatology Research Foundation and the ACR that seeks to engage and educate medical students from underrepresented backgrounds through a series of 90-minute virtual roundtable sessions focused on rheumatology, work-life balance, and preparing for a fellowship.
Learning & Educational Activities
Several programs in the ACR Education Center are geared toward students and residents. Check out the Rheum2Learn activities, which comprise case-based, fundamental clinical rheumatology education.