Musculoskeletal problems in the family practice setting: guidelines for curriculum design

Rheumatology training is essential for family practice residents, but major inadequacies have been described in current programs. In an effort to guide the design of our own rheumatology curriculum, all patient visits to a family health center over a 15-week period were surveyed. Musculoskeletal problems were reported overall in 23% of the 2285 patient visits and were commoner as patient age increased. Osteoarthritis and regional joint pain were the 2 most frequent problems noted, whereas systemic and inflammatory rheumatic diseases were unusual. Rheumatology curricula for family physicians should stress evaluation, management and prevention of problems in those defined areas.