Rheumatology online

JointZone (www.jointzone.org.uk) is a personal favourite and a perfect introduction to rheumatology. This site comprehensively covers all aspects of rheumatology, from inflammatory to non-inflammatory disorders to the extra-articular manifestations of disease. The site covers the basic science, clinical features, diagnosis, and management of each condition. The information is reinforced with an impressive selection of images, including photographs and radiographs. The site also offers a library of case studies that is categorised by the degree of difficulty. Navigation is straightforward, and conditions are nicely put under subheadings, allowing you to skip to the relevant topic.

It can often be difficult to get your head around connective tissue disease, but Elsevier offers Diseases of the Skin by Gary White and Neil Cox online for free, with all the information you need (www.merckmedicus.com/ppdocs/us/hcp/content/white/white-ch-013-toc.htm and www.merckmedicus.com/ppdocs/us/hcp/content/white/white-ch-014-toc.htm). This covers everything, including Raynaud’s disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and the vasculitides. This is not only good for its detailed notes but also its high quality photos that show you exactly what Raynaud’s phenomenon, discoid lupus, and Henoch–Schönlein purpura really look like, to name a few. The photopraphs on this site bring rheumatology to life.

The University of Birmingham offers a series of online rheumatology lectures specifically for third and fourth year medical students (http://webrheum.bham.ac.uk/professional/under-graduate/4yr/). The lectures are available in Microsoft Word or PowerPoint format or PDF. Topics that are covered include systemic features of rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue diseases, and metabolic bone disease. The site also offers a series of clinical lectures that consider how to approach patients with monoarticular, polyarticular, and spinal pain.

The American Family Physician (www.aafp.org/online/en/home/publications/journals/afp.html) offers good reviews of important topics in rheumatology, with articles specifically written for the general public as well as more detailed articles for medical professionals. These reviews are up to date and include references that you can follow up. The site also has a selection of detailed picture quizzes to test your understanding. A search option on this site allows quick access to information. This site is probably best if you know exactly what you’re looking for.

Finally, A Practical Guide to Clinical Medicine (http://meded.ucsd.edu/clinicalmed/Joints.html) is a great place to learn the clinical skills necessary in rheumatology. This site explains how to take a thorough history and how to perform a general musculoskeletal examination as well as examinations of the hand, elbow, shoulder, lower back, hip, and knee. There are plenty of detailed photographs with explanations.

       

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