How to Become a Rheumatologist

Rheumatology is the medical subspecialty that deals with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, disorders and injuries. Included are many autoimmune diseases, all forms of arthritis, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndromes and injuries from sports or falls. Training for a career as a rheumatologist takes a commitment to studying and practical application.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Graduate from high school, having taken as many classes as possible in science and math. Honors or advanced classes will be helpful in preparing you for a career as a rheumatologist.
2. Declare your undergraduate major in Pre-Med or another field of science. Continue your good studying habits.
3. Take and pass the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test). Your MCAT score is essential for getting into medical school, so take the time to prepare for it properly.
4. Attend an accredited school of medicine. The career counseling service at your undergraduate college or university can help you apply to schools that meet your needs.
5. Complete your residency in internal medicine (or pediatrics). Rheumatologists are actually subspecialists of these two disciplines, so training is needed in one of these areas. Most physicians who want to specialize in rheumatology are internists first, rather than pediatricians.
6. Enter a rheumatology fellowship program. These fellowships train physicians in the aspects of medicine that are unique to the field of rheumatology. Expect the program to take two to four years to complete. If you'd like to further specialize your career and become a pediatric rheumatologist, an additional one to two years of fellowship will be required.
7. Achieve board certification in rheumatology and internal medicine. The American Board of Internal Medicine administers both of these exams.
8. Stay current. Continue your education and training as you enjoy your career as a rheumatologist.

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