Get a referral to a rheumatologist is ...

Updated September 11, 2014.

When I experienced the first symptoms of arthritis, there are many who do not know what was going on and why I suddenly a swollen and painful knee. I waited a week or two to go, but if it does not, I went to my family doctor. Only 19 at the time it was.

My doctor was a bit perplexed. Since I was athletic and played tennis, the doctor ordered preliminary tests and referred me to an orthopedic surgeon. As suspected a family doctor and specialist in orthopedics had a sports injury. There was the possibility of arthritis, but I was so young and my test came back negative rheumatoid factor. It does not seem to be improving, so I searched and found that doctors who specialize in arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. The specialty called rheumatology and doctors who specialize rheumatologists.

Personal history, I have not shared, 1974-1975 Internet is available to me at the moment, so that you can access information and advice. My doctors seemed "too young You're" and trapped in these false ideas like "your blood test is negative." Finally, I asked for a referral to a rheumatologist. Long story short, here is where I belonged all the time. My rheumatologist could diagnose me with RA to recommend a treatment plan, and set me on the path to better disease management.

Early diagnosis and early treatment are the target

Over the years, the importance of consultation with a rheumatologist has become increasingly clear that early diagnosis and early treatment of arthritis have become prime targets for physicians. Typical approaches in the 1970s, a conservative treatment were exchanged for more aggressive therapies. An opportunity was found, suggesting that early and aggressive treatment for the disease is the best way to slow the progression of the disease. This applies especially to the types of inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Possible long wait for initial consultation

Because of the new emphasis on early diagnosis and treatment, people with symptoms of arthritis are, or pointing to one of the rheumatic diseases usually accelerated to a rheumatologist for evaluation. But there is a problem to be an appointment. In some parts of the United States, there is a shortage of rheumatologists. Some rheumatologists have a large area and "too many patients, too few rheumatologists dilemma 'may cause delays in the appointment.

According to the August 2014 rheumatologists, a division of rheumatology in particular, Chattanooga, Tennessee can not see an urgent note in about 6 weeks. You see the most urgent recommendations within 1-2 days. But that's another story on the opposite side of the state, 300 miles west of Memphis, where the wait time of six months. There are more rheumatologists to Chattanooga from Memphis, Memphis, but is much higher. It's not always the size of the city - medium-sized cities in Tennessee have rheumatologists. And there are not only differences within a given state, there are differences across the country. For example, the northern states have more access to rheumatologists that the Western states.

In 2005, the American College of Rheumatology published a study that projects be for rheumatologists in 2020 around 6500 the demand, but only 5000 active exercise rheumatologists. In 2025, it was expected that the gap could grow to 2000 In addition to the question of regional availability of rheumatologists, there is the problem of rheumatologists in retirement are graduates to take their place. According to the rheumatologist, more than half of the existing batch rheumatologists are more than 50 years, the population is growing and at the same time, many rheumatologists will retire.

Rheumatologists are experts in arthritis and rheumatic diseases

Although it may be difficult for some people to see a rheumatologist because of distance or delays, here are the reasons why it is important to continue:

• Rheumatologists are trained and highly qualified to make a difference in autoimmune diseases and rheumatic diagnosis (ie, to determine which type of arthritis or rheumatic disease that has).
• Rheumatologists choose the appropriate medical treatment according to the diagnosis and consider comorbidities and the patient's lifestyle.
• Rheumatologists are trained and experienced in order to monitor the effectiveness of treatment and recognition of the undesirable side effects of treatment.
• Rheumatologists are focused on maintaining or improving the quality of life of patients and the prevention of disability in the provision of a management plan for rheumatic diseases.
• Rheumatologists are qualified with the common claim and intra-articular injections, and the interpretation of imaging studies and laboratory findings for the diagnosis and monitoring of disease activity.

Who should be fired?

According to the American College of Rheumatology, the patient should be referred to a rheumatologist if you suspect rheumatic disease, but the diagnosis is not clear (eg patients who unexplained symptoms or the normal blood tests, the abnormal symptoms). Patients can also be returned with the results of abnormal laboratory test that can probably be associated with a rheumatic disease.

Patients have to deal with suspected rheumatic disease both confirm the diagnosis and long-term management. A rheumatologist may also be a second opinion from another doctor.

_Sources:

_{American College of Rheumatology. Guidelines. 08/2010.
https://www.rheumatology.org/ACR/Practice/Clinical/Position/referral_guidelines.pdf}

_{A long wait. Richard Quinn. The rheumatologist. August 2014th
http://www.the-rheumatologist.org/details/article/6480751/Long_Delays_for_Appointments_Underscore_Need_for_More_Rheumatologists.html}