A structured clinical framework for the assessment and initial management of acute and chronic joint pain in primary care settings — includes red flag identification and referral triggers.
Practical Resources
Downloadable clinical guidelines and decision-support tools developed for the South African healthcare context.
Continuous Learning
Recorded seminars, lectures, and live online engagements designed for GPs, nurses, physiotherapists, and OTs.
Expert Connection
Clear referral pathways and direct lines to the UCT Division for complex cases and professional queries.
Who this is for
Built for the frontline,
backed by UCT expertise.
Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) affect millions of South Africans, yet the majority of these patients first present to — and continue to be managed by — nurses, general practitioners, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists working in primary and secondary care settings. This resource hub exists to support you.
Everything here is grounded in evidence-based practice and shaped by the clinical realities of healthcare delivery across South Africa — from urban academic centres to rural district hospitals.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Osteoarthritis
Gout & Crystal Arthropathies
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Psoriatic Arthritis
Sjögren's Syndrome
Systemic Sclerosis
Myositis
Vasculitis
Fibromyalgia
Soft Tissue Rheumatism
Evidence-based practice
Clinical Guidelines & Downloadable Resources
Practical, evidence-based guidelines developed and endorsed by the UCT Division of Rheumatology for use in South African clinical settings. Free to download and share with your team.
Covers early diagnosis, treat-to-target principles, DMARDs in the South African context, monitoring protocols, and when to refer to a specialist.
A practical guide to diagnosing gout in resource-limited settings, managing acute flares, and initiating long-term urate-lowering therapy appropriate to the South African formulary.
A clinician-facing guide to recognising SLE presentations in primary and secondary care, with emphasis on the higher prevalence in Black African and mixed-ancestry women in South Africa.
A practical one-page clinical checklist covering contraindications, dosing cautions, and monitoring requirements for NSAIDs and corticosteroids commonly used in RMD management.
A laminated-card-format quick reference summarising the key clinical criteria warranting urgent, routine, or non-urgent referral to a rheumatologist — suitable for desk or consulting room use.
"The gap between academic rheumatology and the frontline clinician is exactly where our patients suffer most. We're here to close it."Division of Rheumatology, University of Cape Town
On-demand learning
Recorded Seminars & Lectures
Watch at your own pace. Our library of recorded teaching sessions covers clinical presentations, diagnostic approaches, and management updates — presented by UCT rheumatologists and international experts.
Grand Round
Early Inflammatory Arthritis: Don't Miss the Window
A clinically focused presentation on identifying early RA, the evidence for treat-to-target, and the critical role of the primary care clinician in timely diagnosis.
▶ Watch nowLecture Series
SLE in South Africa: Clinical Patterns and What to Watch For
Understanding the unique clinical and epidemiological features of lupus in the South African population, including cutaneous, renal, and haematological presentations.
▶ Watch nowCME Session
Gout Management in 2024: Beyond the Acute Flare
A practical CME-accredited session covering the full gout treatment paradigm — from acute management through long-term urate lowering, patient education, and cardiovascular risk.
▶ Watch nowMultidisciplinary Teaching
Physiotherapy and OT in Rheumatology: Evidence-Based Roles
Tailored for physiotherapists and occupational therapists — covering exercise prescription, joint protection, functional assessment, and collaborative care in RMD management.
▶ Watch nowPractical Case Series
Reading the Hands: Clinical Examination in Inflammatory Arthritis
A hands-on case-based session walking through systematic examination of the hands and wrists in suspected inflammatory arthritis — signs, patterns, and diagnostic reasoning.
▶ Watch nowNurse Education
Nursing the Rheumatology Patient: Monitoring, Medication, and Support
Designed for nurses managing patients on DMARDs and biologics — covering safety monitoring, recognising adverse effects, patient counselling, and escalation protocols.
▶ Watch nowLive learning
Upcoming Online Engagements
Join us for live webinars, case discussions, and Q&A sessions hosted by the UCT Division of Rheumatology. All sessions are free for registered healthcare workers in South Africa.
Webinar: Managing Osteoarthritis in Primary Care — Beyond Analgesia
A practical session exploring non-pharmacological and pharmacological management of OA, weight management strategies, the role of physiotherapy, and when to consider joint replacement referral.
Case Discussion: Difficult Diagnoses in Rheumatology — Interactive Q&A
Submit your challenging cases in advance. Our rheumatologists work through real-world diagnostic and management dilemmas, with audience participation and open Q&A throughout.
CME Webinar: Biologics and Biosimilars in Rheumatology — What GPs Need to Know
An accessible overview of biologic and biosimilar agents used in RMDs, covering mechanisms, safety monitoring, common side effects, and shared-care responsibilities for primary care clinicians.
Nursing Symposium: Rheumatology Nursing in the South African Context
A half-day online symposium for nurses working in rheumatology and allied settings, covering advanced clinical topics, DMARD monitoring, patient education, and multidisciplinary team collaboration.
Want to be notified of all upcoming sessions? Register your interest and we'll send event announcements directly to you.
Register interest in future eventsWhen and how to refer
Referral Pathways
Not every patient with an RMD requires specialist input — but knowing when and how to refer is critical for optimal outcomes. The UCT Division of Rheumatology accepts referrals from GPs, nurses, physiotherapists, and other healthcare professionals across South Africa.
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Identify the need for referral
Use our downloadable Referral Criteria Quick Reference Card to determine whether a patient warrants urgent, routine, or non-urgent rheumatology review.
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Prepare the referral letter
Include the clinical history, relevant examination findings, current medications, and investigation results (FBC, CRP/ESR, RF/anti-CCP where available). A clear clinical question helps us prioritise appropriately.
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Submit your referral
Referrals to the UCT Rheumatology outpatient service are made through Groote Schuur Hospital via the standard Western Cape referral system. See contact details below for the correct channel for your region.
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Continue co-management
Most patients are best managed in a shared-care model. Our team provides specialist advice, adjusts therapy as needed, and works with you to ensure continuity of care in your practice.
When to refer to rheumatology
- Suspected inflammatory arthritis (swollen, warm joints with morning stiffness >30 min)
- Positive RF, anti-CCP, or ANA with clinical features of connective tissue disease
- Multi-system disease with rash, serositis, nephritis, or haematological abnormalities
- Suspected SLE, myositis, vasculitis, or systemic sclerosis
- Inadequate response to initial DMARD therapy or NSAID management
- Recurrent or tophaceous gout unresponsive to urate-lowering therapy
- Diagnostic uncertainty with inflammatory markers and joint involvement
- Consideration of biologic or biosimilar therapy
Urgent referral: Any patient with suspected systemic vasculitis, acute organ involvement (renal, cardiac, pulmonary), or rapidly progressive inflammatory disease should be referred urgently or discussed by telephone.
Get in touch
Professional Queries & Contact
Whether you need clinical advice, have a question about a patient, or want to discuss a referral, we're here to support you.
Outpatient Referrals
Referrals to the UCT Rheumatology outpatient clinic at Groote Schuur Hospital should be routed through the standard Western Cape Government Health referral system. Attach a comprehensive referral letter.
View referral details →Clinical Queries
For professional clinical queries, resource requests, or questions about a specific patient, you can contact the division directly. We aim to respond to all professional enquiries within 3 working days.
Contact the division →Teaching & CPD Enquiries
Interested in arranging an educational session for your team, facility, or district? The division welcomes requests for outreach teaching, CME sessions, and collaborative learning initiatives.
Enquire about teaching →