TY - JOUR T1 - Teaching Basic Rheumatology JF - The Journal of Rheumatology JO - J Rheumatol SP - 880 LP - 880 DO - 10.3899/jrheum.111379 VL - 39 IS - 4 AU - IRVING KUSHNER Y1 - 2012/04/01 UR - http://www.jrheum.org/content/39/4/880.abstract N2 - To the Editor:I have used the Socratic method in the clinic setting to introduce medical students to the basic concepts of rheumatology. Rather than learning passively, the students are impelled to think critically about arthritis and rheumatism. I ask 4 broad questions: (1) What is arthralgia? (2) What is arthritis? (3) Is arthritis a disease? and (4) How do you treat arthritis?1. What is arthralgia? While most students know that arthralgia means joint pain, a significant number fumble around. Once this is established, a sub-question is asked: “How do you know if someone has arthralgia?” While the correct answer is, “The patient tells you”, many respond with some physical finding or other. If I get anything but the right answer, I gently inquire, “How do you know if someone has a headache?” Ultimately, that leads to the correct answer. I then point out that there are a few caveats: (1) Does everyone tell the truth? (2) Is everyone psychiatrically … E-mail: ixk2{at}case.edu ER -