Your RA Team: The Rheumatologist

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex condition – one that may be challenging at times. The good news is that your rheumatologist can help you understand the benefits and risks of RA treatment options and determine how to manage RA symptoms.

What is a rheumatologist?

Rheumatologists are medical doctors who specialize in diseases affecting the joints, bones and muscles. Since RA mainly affects the joints, a rheumatologist will likely be your most important ally in your fight against the disease. Therefore, it’s important that you and your rheumatologist establish and maintain a working relationship that includes clear, effective communication.

Rheumatologists go through several years of intensive medical training, including four years of undergraduate studies, four years of medical school, a residency program in a healthcare setting and a rheumatology fellowship program. They specialize in many types of rheumatic diseases, including RA, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, lupus, gout, and other types of arthritis. Rheumatologists can provide care in a number of settings, such as outpatient clinics, hospitals and private practices.

The roles of the rheumatologist

The main role of a rheumatologist is to diagnose, treat and help patients manage rheumatic diseases, such as RA. In treating and managing RA, a rheumatologist evaluates the following on an ongoing basis:

• Signs and symptoms, including severity, location in the body, and frequency of flares
• Disease stage, progression of joint damage and systemic effects (eg, fatigue or tiredness)
• Effectiveness of prescribed course of treatment
• Results of lab tests and physical exams
• Patient's quality of life, including emotional well-being and personal relationships
• The need for hospitalization or surgery
• Patient's ability to pay medical costs and availability of financial assistance

When it comes to your RA, the rheumatologist is there to help you determine an effective treatment and management plan that involves the following goals:

• Meeting your unique physical, emotional and lifestyle needs
• Helping you maintain or improve physical function and mobility
• Carrying out daily living activities, such as your job, housework and hobbies

Your role: Making the most of the doctor-patient relationship

It's important to remember that you play an important role in the equation, too. Your rheumatologist has the knowledge and qualifications to make decisions involving your healthcare. But that knowledge only goes so far without your input. It’s up to you to clearly communicate your RA symptoms and other concerns. Then your doctor will have the information necessary to prescribe appropriate treatment and offer resources that can address your unique needs.

Keeping in mind the areas your doctor will evaluate and the goals of treatment listed above, here are some tips for making the most of your doctor-patient relationship:

• Prepare for appointments ahead of time. Understanding treatment options and what's happening in your body can help facilitate focused, productive conversations with your doctor. It may help to keep a journal of symptoms, how you’ve been feeling, changes in your condition and even any questions that come to mind. You can then bring the journal and your questions along to your appointment to help drive the discussion.
• Be honest and specific. Honesty is key; your rheumatologist can only provide the best possible care if you keep him or her informed of any changes in your RA symptoms and in your life. Be specific about symptoms. Where are you feeling pain? What does the pain feel like? Have you kept up with exercise and physical therapy? Are you using alternative therapies that your doctor should be aware of? Don’t be afraid to open up, even if you think something is embarrassing, silly or unrelated. If you think something is important, it’s worth sharing with your doctor.
• Ask questions, and, if necessary, write down the answers. It's important to follow your doctor’s instructions and remember important information about things like treatment and insurance. If it helps, write down questions before your visit, or ask a loved one or caregiver to join you on visits to act as another pair of ears.

Remember, your rheumatologist can, and wants to, provide information and guidance on managing RA, educating loved ones, navigating the healthcare system and insurance, and anything else that will help you maintain quality of life.

Helpful resources for talking to your rheumatologist

RheumatoidArthritis.com provides several valuable resources that can help you assess your condition and prepare for rheumatologist appointments:

RA Profiler to help you pinpoint symptoms and assess your treatment
Rheumatologist Discussion Guide, including questions to ask at visits
Rheumatologist Visit Checklist of items to bring to your visits
Symptom Tracker to use between visits

Next — Your RA Team: The Nurse