photo of Robert H. Shmerling, MD

Robert H. Shmerling, MD

Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing

Dr. Robert H. Shmerling is the former clinical chief of the division of rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), and is a current member of the corresponding faculty in medicine at Harvard Medical School. As a practicing rheumatologist for over 30 years, Dr. Shmerling engaged in a mix of patient care, teaching, and research. His research interests center on diagnostic studies in patients with musculoskeletal symptoms, and rheumatic and autoimmune diseases. He has published research regarding infectious arthritis, medical ethics, and diagnostic test performance in rheumatic disease. Having retired from patient care in 2019, Dr. Shmerling now works as a senior faculty editor for Harvard Health Publishing.

Twitter: @RobShmerling

Posts by Robert H. Shmerling, MD

Wondering about goosebumps? Of course you are featured image

Skin and Hair

Wondering about goosebumps? Of course you are

Metabolic syndrome is on the rise: What it is and why it matters featured image

Staying Healthy

Metabolic syndrome is on the rise: What it is and why it matters

Daily decisions about risk: What to do when there's no right answer featured image

Robert H. Shmerling, MD

Daily decisions about risk: What to do when there's no right answer

The plight of nursing home residents in a pandemic featured image

Robert H. Shmerling, MD

The plight of nursing home residents in a pandemic

Driving across the country in a pandemic featured image

Infectious diseases

Driving across the country in a pandemic

Bracing for contact tracing featured image

Infectious diseases

Bracing for contact tracing

When dieting doesn't work featured image

Robert H. Shmerling, MD

When dieting doesn't work

Some healthcare can safely wait (and some can’t) featured image

Men's Health

Some healthcare can safely wait (and some can’t)

And now for some good news on health featured image

Cancer

And now for some good news on health

Harvard Health AdWatch: An arthritis ad in 4 parts featured image

Arthritis

Harvard Health AdWatch: An arthritis ad in 4 parts

More sexual partners, more cancer? featured image

Cancer

More sexual partners, more cancer?

As the pandemic drags on, when can we get back to work? featured image

Robert H. Shmerling, MD

As the pandemic drags on, when can we get back to work?

Knee arthroscopy: Should this common knee surgery be performed less often? featured image

Robert H. Shmerling, MD

Knee arthroscopy: Should this common knee surgery be performed less often?

Does CBD help with arthritis pain? featured image

Pain

Does CBD help with arthritis pain?

What’s it like to be a healthcare worker in a pandemic? featured image

Robert H. Shmerling, MD

What’s it like to be a healthcare worker in a pandemic?

Lifestyle changes are important even if you take medications featured image

Exercise & Fitness

Lifestyle changes are important even if you take medications

COVID-19: If you’re older and have chronic health problems, read this featured image

Men's Health

COVID-19: If you’re older and have chronic health problems, read this

OK, boomer: You’re not the only one who needs testing for hepatitis C featured image

Men's Health

OK, boomer: You’re not the only one who needs testing for hepatitis C

Harvard Health Ad Watch: What’s being cleansed in a detox cleanse? featured image

Men's Health

Harvard Health Ad Watch: What’s being cleansed in a detox cleanse?

Harvard Health Ad Watch: Are nutritional drinks actually good for you? featured image

Nutrition

Harvard Health Ad Watch: Are nutritional drinks actually good for you?

Is there any good news about the coronavirus pandemic? featured image

Robert H. Shmerling, MD

Is there any good news about the coronavirus pandemic?

Time to redefine normal body temperature? featured image

Staying Healthy

Time to redefine normal body temperature?

Can stress really make hair (or fur?) turn gray? featured image

Men's Health

Can stress really make hair (or fur?) turn gray?

Hands or feet asleep? What to do featured image

Robert H. Shmerling, MD

Hands or feet asleep? What to do

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