What is rheumatology?

Rheumatology is the area of medicine focused on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the joints, muscles, bones, connective tissues, and immune system. Rheumatologists have specialized expertise in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases that can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, fatigue, and damage to joints or other organs. At Unify Health, our Rheumatology program will begin seeing patients in 2027. We will begin accepting referrals starting November 2026 so patients can be booked in advance of the program launch.

What are the common reasons for seeing a rheumatologist at Unify Health?

Some of the common conditions assessed and treated by our rheumatologists include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and other inflammatory arthritides, osteoarthritis when the diagnosis or treatment plan is complex, gout and other crystal arthropathies, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren syndrome, polymyalgia rheumatica, vasculitis, scleroderma and other connective tissue diseases, and inflammatory muscle disorders.

Patients may be referred for symptoms such as unexplained joint pain or swelling, prolonged morning stiffness, or abnormal autoimmune bloodwork when there is concern for an underlying rheumatologic condition.

Our rheumatologists can help determine whether symptoms are related to an inflammatory or autoimmune disease and develop an appropriate long-term treatment and monitoring plan..

What can I expect from a rheumatology consultation?

Your rheumatologist will review your symptoms, medical history, medications, bloodwork, and any available imaging. Depending on your condition, additional blood tests, X-rays, ultrasound, or other investigations may be recommended.Treatment may include medications to control pain and inflammation, disease-modifying medications, biologic therapies, joint injections when appropriate, and coordination with other specialists and allied health professionals.At Unify Health, our rheumatologists work alongside specialists in General Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Dermatology, Endocrinology, Orthopedics, Sports Medicine, and other disciplines, allowing patients with complex medical conditions to receive coordinated care when needed.

Is rheumatology covered by OHIP?

Medically necessary consultations and follow-up visits with a rheumatologist are generally covered by OHIP for patients with a valid Ontario health card.Some medications, injections, allied health services, forms, or other uninsured services may not be covered. Our team can provide information regarding any applicable fees.

I want to see a rheumatologist at Unify Health. How can I make an appointment?

Unify Health will begin accepting Rheumatology referrals in November 2026, with patient consultations beginning in 2027.A referral from your family doctor, nurse practitioner, or another physician is required for an OHIP-covered rheumatology consultation.Referrals can be sent to Unify Health, and our team will contact patients directly to arrange their appointment.

How can I learn more?

To learn more about rheumatic and autoimmune diseases, you can visit the Canadian Rheumatology Association at https://rheum.ca. For questions on our services please email us at info@unifyhealth.ca

Accepting referrals starting November 2026
Appointments beginning in 2027