[Specialized and interdisciplinary team work in rheumatology]

The large number of rheumatic diseases demands a clear differentiation between the individual forms of diseases. For this purpose are at first necessary knowledge concerning clinical criteria and in the second place knowledge about serological and radiological examinations. The serological programme shall be relevant to practice, consist of a basis diagnostics and for particular differential-diagnostic problems shall include specialized laboratory investigations. Necessary X-ray pictures must be performed with a special aim and comparison of the sides. For therapy the interdisciplinary team work, consisting in the cooperation of rheumatologists, orthopedic surgeons, specialized surgeons and physiotherapists stood the test. An important prerequisite is also the cooperation of the outpatient and inpatient rheumatological institution. For a complex rehabilitation programme apart from the physicians experienced coworkers for tasks of welfare, ergotherapy and physiotherapy are necessary.