What is Rheumatology?

Primarily, Rheumatology is the study and management of disorders and diseases of the joints and surrounding tissues – muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Rheumatology is a subspecialty branch in internal medicine and paediatrics that deals with the joints, soft tissues, autoimmune diseases, and heritable connective tissue disorders. A rheumatologist specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and therapy of rheumatic diseases. Rheumatology can be taken up as a super-specialization subject after the completion of a Masters’s Degree (MD) in Internal Medicine or through fellowship programs after the necessary training and board certification.

Highlights

Eligibility	For Undergraduate course: 10+2 ( with required science subjects)For Postgraduate specialization: Bachelors’ degree in medicine Doctorate: Major in Medicine
English Requirements	IELTS –  6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any element. Also, accepted are- TOEFL, PTE, O levels
Average Fee	INR 30.2 Lakhs per year
Average Salary	INR 90.55 Lakhs per Year

Why Study Rheumatology?

The medical field is often considered to be one of the noblest professions in the world. Though Surgery is one of the main branches people choose to pursue, other branches like Rheumatology also stand out because of the nature of the work done by Rheumatologists. Rheumatologists care for a wide array of patients—from children who contract arthritis to senior citizens. Rheumatologists aim to help patients with rheumatic diseases have the best possible quality of life. This branch of medical science is your perfect choice if you are someone who has a sense of empathy for people and likes to contribute to their well-being.

Also Read: Top Medical School Without MCAT

Subjects Under Rheumatology

A student who is enrolled for an MBBS degree has to obligatorily study Rheumatology as a subject. When a student opts for Rheumatology in their higher studies, they go on to study Rheumatology in detail. The following subjects are taught to students: –

• Epidemiology
• Biostatistics
• Nutrition
• Medical Sociology
• Pedagogy
• Patient Monitoring
• Diagnostic Investigation and Procedures
• Patient Counseling
• Clinic Radiology

Also, Read MBBS in Germany- Study Medicine With No Tuition Fees!

Top Universities 

Here is a list of the best universities for Medical Science under which specialization in Rheumatology is offered.

University	Location
Harvard University	Cambridge, US
University of Oxford	Oxford, UK
Stanford University	Stanford, US
University of Cambridge	Cambridge, UK
Johns Hopkins University	Baltimore, US
Karolinska Institutet	Stockholm, Sweden
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)	Los Angeles, US
Yale University	New Haven, US
UCL	London, UK
Imperial College London	London, UK

Top Degree Courses in Rheumatology

Under the Medical Science branch, here are the most popular courses related to Rheumatology in the top universities abroad.

• Rheumatology Practice MSc
• Clinical Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Medicine MSc
• Rheumatology, Orthopaedics, and Dermatology Ph.D./DM, Doctor of Philosophy – PhD
• Musculoskeletal Sciences DPhil, MSc
• Rheumatology MSc, Postgraduate Diploma – PgDip

Eligibility Criteria for Rheumatology

Here are the eligibility requirements for Rheumatology courses depending on various countries.

• In the USA, after completion of their rheumatology fellowship training, adult rheumatologists and pediatric rheumatologists are required to pass an examination conducted by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Pediatrics, respectively. 
• In Australia, consultant rheumatologists undergo the necessary training to receive a fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians
• In the UK, the rheumatologist will have membership or fellowship of one of the Royal Colleges of Physicians. In the course of their training, rheumatologists develop skills in musculoskeletal examination and interpretation of laboratory and radiographic findings to evaluate rheumatic diseases.

Also Read: DMRD Course (Diploma in Medical Radio Diagnosis)

Application Process

The specifications might vary from one University to the other, students must checklist the following common steps to apply to a Rheumatology Course:

Step-1: Shortlist a University

When planning to apply to a foreign university for a Rheumatology Course, the first step is to select a suitable University, depending on the specializations offered and the availability of supervisors in the proposed research area. Also, students must ensure that they meet the eligibility requirements set by the University that they are applying to. 

Step-2: Gather the Documents Required.

Once you have shortlisted a University, the next step is to compile all the documents. This will include test scores, SOP, Letters of Recommendation, and more. 

Step-3: Get Started with Your Online Application

After compiling the necessary documents, students can begin their online applications by filling in the required details including Personal, Academic, and Professional background.

Documents Required

Major documents that you’ll need in order to apply to universities abroad will include:

• Application Form
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Academic transcripts: 
• Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or ResumeTest Scores 
• Essays

Employment Prospects

There are a plethora of opportunities after the completion of a rheumatology course. In order to score a good position, aspirants are required to be good in various aspects.

Skills Required for Rheumatology

According to recent trends in Rheumatology, the most relevant skills that you need to have in your resume in order to become a rheumatologist are:

• Internal Medicine
• Patient Care
• Medical Research
• Learning attitude
• Strong academic score
• Clinical Expertise

Job Profiles

Rheumatology offers you a list of job profiles after you complete your education. Some of them include:

Job Profiles	Salary
Public Health Manager	INR 8,00,000
Physician	INR 13,00,000
Epidemiologists	INR 10,00,000
Internal Consultant	INR 10,00,000
Research Officer	INR 12,00,000

Average Salary 

Apart from being a noble profession to work in, Rheumatology is one of the highest-paid branches of medicine. An entry-level job in a reputable hospital’s Rheumatology department can pay you up to INR 1,01,6127 internationally (sounds great, no?)

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FAQs

If you are aspiring to pursue a career in Rheumatology, you have arrived at the right place. Reach out to our Leverage Edu experts and they will assist you in finding a suitable course and university for Rheumatology that can provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to kickstart a successful career in this field! Just call 1800572000 and sign up for an e-meeting today!