What Is a Rheumatologist: Explore Roles, Training Path and Conditions Treated
Learn more about rheumatology, an exciting medical specialty that requires a passion for both diagnosis and care.
Authored by Maribel A. Aurelio, MD.
If you’ve ever wondered “what is a rheumatologist” or “what does a rheumatologist do,” you’re not alone. Many aspiring MD program students investigate various specialties before choosing their path, and rheumatology often stands out, given that it is a field where complex diagnosis meets impactful treatment.
Understanding what rheumatology is and what a rheumatologist treats can help you determine if this rewarding specialty aligns with your career goals. For medical students, rheumatology offers a unique lens into how internal medicine and immunology converge. Rheumatologists manage diseases like lupus, scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis, where immune dysfunction leads to systemic complications.
If you’re curious about how to become a rheumatologist and what makes this specialty unique, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the fascinating field of rheumatology.
What Is Rheumatology?
Rheumatology is a subspecialty of internal medicine focused on diagnosing and treating diseases that affect the joints, muscles, bones and immune system. The field centers on conditions that cause inflammation, pain and dysfunction in the musculoskeletal system, many of which are autoimmune in nature.
Unlike orthopedic surgery, which often involves surgical intervention, rheumatology primarily uses medical management through medications, lifestyle modifications and ongoing patient care. This makes rheumatology a specialty where long-term doctor-patient relationships and thoughtful problem-solving are essential to success.
What Is a Rheumatologist?
A rheumatologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases – conditions that cause inflammation and pain in joints, muscles and connective tissues.
These doctors are trained internists who have completed additional fellowship training, specifically in rheumatology. As an arthritis doctor or autoimmune doctor, they possess deep expertise in immune system disorders and how these conditions affect the entire body.
Many rheumatologists describe their work as similar to being medical detectives, since rheumatic diseases often present with subtle or overlapping symptoms that require careful analysis and diagnostic skill.
What Does a Rheumatologist Do?
Rheumatologists perform comprehensive evaluations to diagnose complex autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Their daily work involves reviewing detailed patient histories, conducting physical examinations focused on joints and connective tissues, ordering and interpreting specialized blood tests and imaging studies, and developing long-term treatment plans. Since many rheumatic diseases are chronic conditions, rheumatologists build lasting relationships with their patients, adjusting treatment strategies over time to manage symptoms and prevent disease progression.
These specialists also collaborate closely with other healthcare providers. They often work alongside primary care physicians, orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists and other specialists to provide comprehensive care. For example, while a rheumatologist may manage the medical treatment of arthritis, they might refer patients to orthopedic surgeons for surgical options when necessary, or to physical therapists to design individualized rehabilitation programs that improve mobility, reduce pain and restore function. This multidisciplinary approach highlights how different areas of medicine work together to optimize patient outcomes.
What Conditions Does a Rheumatologist Treat?
Rheumatologists diagnose and treat over 100 different conditions, most involving inflammation of the joints, muscles or other connective tissues. These inflammatory diseases often stem from the immune system mistakenly attacking the body’s own tissues. Common conditions treated by rheumatologists include:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
- Lupus
- Osteoarthritis
- Gout
- Fibromyalgia
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Vasculitis
- Scleroderma
- Sjögren’s syndrome
- Soft tissue and joint inflammation
Rheumatology Subspecialties
Within rheumatology, doctors may develop additional expertise in specific areas. For example, some rheumatologists focus on pediatric rheumatology, treating children and adolescents with rheumatic diseases. A pediatric rheumatologist requires additional training to understand how these conditions present and progress differently in young patients.
Other subspecialty areas include a focus on lupus and connective tissue diseases, vasculitis, inflammatory arthritis research, ultrasound-guided procedures, or osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease. These focused practices allow rheumatologists to become true experts in specific conditions, while still maintaining broad knowledge across the rheumatology field.
How to Become a Rheumatologist
The path to becoming a rheumatologist requires dedication and extensive training. Here’s an overview of the educational journey:
Medical School (4 years): First, you’ll need to earn your Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. During medical school, you’ll build a strong foundation in Basic Science and Clinical Medicine, while also exploring different specialties through rotations.
Internal Medicine Residency (3 years): After medical school, aspiring rheumatologists generally complete a residency in internal medicine. This training provides comprehensive experience in diagnosing and managing adult diseases across multiple organ systems.
Rheumatology Fellowship (2-3 years): Following residency, future rheumatologists usually complete a specialized fellowship in rheumatology. During this time, you’ll gain hands-on experience in diagnosing complex autoimmune conditions, interpreting specialized tests, performing joint procedures like aspirations and injections, and managing challenging cases under expert supervision.
Board Certification: After completing fellowship training, you’ll become eligible for board certification in rheumatology through the American Board of Internal Medicine (for U.S. practitioners). This certification demonstrates your expertise and commitment to the field.
The entire journey typically takes 12-13 years after high school (including a four-year undergraduate education), but each step builds your skills and confidence. Many rheumatologists find that the long training period is worth it, given the personal benefits, intellectual challenge and patient relationships the specialty offers.
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Rheumatologist vs. Other Specialists
Understanding how rheumatologists differ from related medical specialists can help clarify the scope of their practice.
Orthopedic Surgeon vs. Rheumatologist
While both of these specialties deal with musculoskeletal problems, their approaches differ significantly. Rheumatologists are medical doctors who use medications and non-surgical treatments to manage inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Orthopedic surgeons focus on surgical treatment of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles.
In practice, an arthritis specialist like a rheumatologist might manage a patient’s rheumatoid arthritis with medications for years, but if joint damage becomes severe, they may refer them to an orthopedic surgeon for joint replacement. The two specialties often collaborate to provide comprehensive care.
Immunologist vs. Rheumatologist
These specialties overlap in their focus on immune system disorders but serve different patient populations. Immunologists typically focus on allergies, asthma and primary immunodeficiency diseases (where the immune system doesn’t work properly). Rheumatologists focus on autoimmune diseases where the immune system overreacts and attacks the body’s own tissues. Some conditions, like certain types of vasculitis, may be treated by either specialist, depending on the situation and the physician’s specific expertise.
Rheumatologist Salary and Career Outlook
Rheumatology offers strong career prospects and competitive compensation. According to recent data, the average rheumatologist salary in the United States ranges is $297,010 USD annually, with variations based on geographic location, practice setting and years of experience. Academic rheumatologists at teaching hospitals may earn differently than those in private practice, and factors like research funding, procedural income and administrative roles can affect total compensation.
The career outlook for rheumatologists remains excellent. The aging population and increasing prevalence of autoimmune diseases have created strong demand for rheumatology services. In fact, there’s currently a shortage of rheumatologists in many areas, particularly in rural and underserved communities. This means graduating fellows often have multiple job opportunities and can choose practice settings that align with their professional goals and personal preferences.
Starting Your Journey
Rheumatology offers a unique combination of intellectual challenge, long-term patient relationships and the satisfaction of improving quality of life for people living with chronic conditions. If you’re drawn to detective work, immune system science and building lasting connections with patients, this specialty might be your perfect fit.
Ready to take the first step toward a career in rheumatology? St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine (SMUSOM) provides comprehensive training that prepares you for academic, USMLE and residency success. Explore SMUSOM’s MD program to learn how we can help you achieve your goals in medicine!
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We encourage all aspiring physicians to contact us with any questions or get started today by learning how to apply!
Learn more about blog author Maribel A. Aurelio, MD.
FAQs About Rheumatologists
Rheumatologists commonly diagnose and treat rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Sjögren’s syndrome and vasculitis. These conditions all involve the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy tissues, leading to inflammation, pain and potential organ damage.
You should consider seeing a rheumatologist if you experience persistent joint pain, stiffness or swelling lasting more than six weeks, especially if it affects multiple joints or occurs with other generalized symptoms like fatigue, fever or rashes. Early diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases can help prevent long-term damage.
Yes, rheumatologists frequently treat osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis caused by wear and tear on joints. While rheumatoid arthritis doctors focus heavily on autoimmune arthritis, they also manage osteoarthritis through pain management strategies, medications, joint injections and lifestyle recommendations.
Osteoarthritis is the most common condition rheumatologists see, affecting millions of Americans as they age. However, rheumatoid arthritis is the most common autoimmune rheumatic disease that rheumatologists diagnose and treat.
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