What Is The Role Of The Rheumatologist In The Diagnosis And Management Of RA?
RA has been a primary focus of rheumatologic research. The chronic nature of RA, along with its diagnostic and treatment complexity, have made the rheumatologist’s special skills and advanced training critically important in providing optimal care to people suffering from this disease. Expertise is particularly needed to establish a diagnosis of RA early, to exclude diseases that mimic RA (thereby avoiding unnecessary testing, drug therapy and costs) and to design a treatment plan that is best suited and customized for the patient and addresses the need for and the risks and benefits of DMARD therapy. Accordingly, the rheumatologist, working in concert with the primary care physician and other health care givers, should play the major role in outlining, implementing and supervising the management of the patient with RA. Studies have shown that people who receive early treatment of RA feel better, are likely to be able to be lead an active life, and are less likely to have joint damage
