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To become a rheumatologist, one must attend medical school, complete a residency in internal medicine or pediatrics, and a fellowship in rheumatology. Board certification and continuing education are also necessary. Rheumatologists can work in hospitals, clinics, and research facilities, and often collaborate with other physicians.
There are a variety of ways to approach a career in rheumatology, a medical specialty focused on joints and soft tissue, depending on whether one wants to treat children or adults. In either case, to become a rheumatologist, you will need to attend medical school and receive special training in rheumatology. Once qualified, it is possible to work in hospitals, clinics and research facilities. Work in this branch of the medical profession can be quite varied and at times very challenging as many conditions involving the joints and connective tissue are highly elusive.
The first step involves attending medical school. To attend medical school, a student usually needs to complete a bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field, demonstrating a commitment to the sciences and an interest in the field of medicine. Standardized tests are often required for medical school applicants, along with letters of recommendation, essays, and other supporting materials. The sooner people start thinking about medical school, the better, as professional experience and demonstrated interest in medical studies and extra credit courses will help bolster medical school enrollment.
After four years of medical school, a student will need to apply for a residency in internal medicine or pediatrics. After three years of residency, an additional two or three years fellowship in rheumatology will be required to become a rheumatologist. Rheumatologists can be medical doctors (MDs) or osteopathic doctors (DOs), and students can consider the differences between these two approaches to medicine when they are applying to medical school and thinking about how they want to practice.
After qualification, a rheumatologist usually seeks board certification with a professional organization. Board certification makes the physician more employable and assures patients that the physician is keeping pace with new information in the field and is committed to a high level of care. It is also necessary to attend continuing education courses and conferences so that a rheumatologist can monitor advances in the practice of rheumatology and learn about new approaches to various medical conditions.
In many cases, a rheumatologist can work with other physicians, including general practitioners, to provide complete care for their patients. It helps to have a cooperative attitude and a lot of patience, as people suffering from joint conditions can become very irritable and frustrated, especially when their treatments don’t seem to be working. This is even more problematic in children, especially when they are pre-verbal or developmentally disabled.
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