Rheumatologists are the doctors who diagnose and treat the patients having diseases which affect joints, tendons, muscles, ligaments and bones. They will also give treatment for several rheumatic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, back pain, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia and tendonitis. They will perform different tests like chemical pathology and x-rays. Then they will decide the treatment to be given for patients. Their treatment will include medication, occupational therapy and physical therapy.

Qualifying Exam

The minimum educational qualification needed for Rheumatologists is a MBBS degree. After that they should obtain MD or DNB in General Medicine. Then they should obtain any super specialty degree or diploma in Rheumatology. They can do either DM or DNB in Rheumatology. Only licensed rheumatologists will be able to practice in any hospitals. Experienced rheumatologists can do fellowship in related fields.

Who are eligible to apply?

To obtain MBBS degree, candidates should qualify the entrance test conducted by the concerned Institution offering the MBBS course. Only candidates who have passed plus two or its equivalent with subjects Physics, Chemistry and Biology can apply for this entrance test. After obtaining the MBBS degree, the candidate can either do MD or DNB in General Medicine. Those who wish to do MD should qualify the entrance test conducted by Medical Council of India. Candidates who aspire to do DNB should qualify the entrance test conducted by National Board of Examinations. Only after qualifying the concerned entrance test, candidates will get admission to any of these courses. After doing post graduation, they can apply for any super specialty degree or diploma course in Rheumatology. They should qualify the corresponding entrance test to get admission to super specialty courses in Rheumatology.

Key elements in the process

• Pass plus two or its equivalent with Physics, Chemistry and Biology
• Obtain MBBS degree
• Obtain MD or DNB in General Medicine
• Obtain DM or DNB in Rheumatology
• Apply for the job

Skills required for Rheumatologist

Rheumatologists should possess good interpersonal skills as they interact with patients for discussing the disease and treatment. About hundred types of arthritis are discovered till now. So the rheumatologists should possess a better knowledge about several rheumatic diseases and their treatments. They should be willing to do further research in this field.