Continuing medical education for the rheumatologist.

Johnie has just been appointed as a consultant rheumatologist. It was his sixth interview but he has finally made it-a single-handed consultant in a district general hospital. His nearest rheumatological colleague will be 30 miles away. It has taken 18 years of training since he left school to reach his desired goal. He has taken numerous examinations and written a learned thesis. His sense of achievement is great. He is also apprehensive. Johnie is aware that his non-rheumatological colleagues and junior staff will look to him for definitive pronouncements on the latest treatment for polyarteritis nodosa, current theories on the cause of rheumatoid arthritis, and whether non-steroidal anti-inflammatory creams are efficacious. His patients will expect him to use the most modem diagnostic techniques and treatments. None of his previous education seems to have equipped him for this task of keeping up to date. How will he cope?