Referring provider
Rheumatology resources for referring clinicians
Decide whether and how urgently to refer, send the right workup, and manage what can be managed locally.
Searches conditions, Assistant answers, workup checklists and medicines.
Sections
Start here
When to Refer
Conditions sorted by urgency, from emergent to may not require referral, for adults and children.
Open →Before you send
How to Refer
What every referral should include, and the usual workup recommended before the referral is seen.
Open →Step by step
Ask the Assistant
Answer a few questions and get a clear recommendation with sources. 270 decision points.
Open →Shared care
Co-Management
Who does what between visits, and when to contact rheumatology.
Open →Medicines
DMARD Monitoring
Baseline tests, intervals, thresholds, pregnancy and vaccines, drug by drug.
Open →Learn more
ACR & RheumForPrimaryCare.org
Guidelines, criteria, finding a rheumatologist, and primary-care education.
Open →Call today, don't refer
Suspected giant cell arteritis (start glucocorticoids now) · a hot joint with fever · kidney or lung involvement · swallowing or breathing weakness · fever with falling counts and a very high ferritin · a cold, discolored digit · in children, Kawasaki disease or MIS-C. All emergencies.
Common questions
Downloads for your practice
Referral quick card
Two sides: which conditions to refer and how urgently, plus the red flags that need a call today.
Pre-referral workup checklist
The usual workup recommended before the referral is seen, by condition group, with lab-triggered referral rules.
Referral letter template
An editable referral form that prompts for the details triage needs: question, duration, swollen joints, results and treatments.
Positive ANA guide
When an ANA matters, what to check next, and when referral usually isn't needed.
DMARD monitoring card
Baseline tests, monitoring intervals, action thresholds, and pregnancy and vaccine notes by drug.
Pediatric red flags and referral guide
All 18 pediatric conditions by urgency, and the red flags for infection and malignancy.
JIA uveitis screening
Who is at high risk, how often to screen, and when to act. For families, pediatricians and eye clinics.
Pediatric-to-adult transition checklist
Skills, documents and steps for a planned transfer to adult rheumatology.
Patient handout: your rheumatology referral
Plain-language: why you were referred, what to bring, what to do while you wait, and when to seek help sooner.