What does a rheumatologist do?

As a rheumatologist, your responsibilities focus on the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases that affect the bones, joints, and surrounding muscles. As part of your duties, you may listen to patients describe symptoms, order tests to check for rheumatic disease, like rheumatoid arthritis or gout, evaluate test results, diagnose rheumatic diseases, and create a treatment plan for each patient. Rheumatologists also coordinate testing and treatments with primary care providers and other specialists. Some rheumatologists participate in clinical trials and research to continue learning about the cause and treatment of these diseases.