This book is dedicated to our next generation of rheumatology practitioners and our patients from whom they seek evidence based rheumatology care.

The effective management of long term chronic disabling musculoskeletal disorders requires inputs and expertise from several professional groups. One of the heartening trends worldwide over the past decade in rheumatology has been the breaking down of professional barriers between physicians and key health care professionals such as nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and podiatrists amongst others. There is the realisation that only with multidisciplinary working with each group maximising their contribution, can we all achieve optimal patient benefit. Such working requires all groups to share knowledge and it is in this light that this current volume fills a much needed gap. The material in this book will provide students
and others in these disciplines with much of the key background information needed to underpin and enhance their role in the joint management of our patients. It deserves to be widely read and its messages used to inform what we do.