Some of the diseases you'd be working with as a rheumatologist include about 100 different kinds. You will work with different types of medical conditions, like osteoarthritis, tendonitis, arthritis, gout and a variety of musculoskeletal disorders.
You will have to go to post secondary school to obtain a medical degree. Afterward, you will have to complete initial training, which will take about two to three years in the field of rheumatology. You will have to take and pass the American Board of Internal Medicine's certificate test before you're able to get certification.
As a rheumatologist, you will be working with different chronic diseases that don't have cures. You will have to keep open communication with patients in order to assist them with their illnesses. Being a great form of support is necessary.
In this field, it is important that you collaborate with other medical professionals, like doctors, psychologists, physical therapists and nurses, to help diagnose and treat patients. Developing treatment plans is also required, which will need the expertise of various medical professionals.
As of November 2009, the median annual salary for rheumatologists is between $113,000 and $167,000.
