23 January 2026
As we mark International Day of Education , it is a perfect moment to celebrate the enduring importance of education in rheumatology - from its historical roots to today’s evolving professional development.
Education is at the core of everything we do at BSR. Whether it’s supporting clinicians and researchers to stay up to date on the latest developments, or fostering the next generation of rheumatology professionals, learning transforms patient care and shapes the future of our specialty.
From 1936 to today
The Heberden Society, formed in 1936, was named after William Heberden, the 18th-century physician who first described nodes of osteoarthritis. The society brought together those with a passion for understanding and treating musculoskeletal disease. Their meetings and collaborations laid important groundwork for the growth of rheumatology in the UK.
Over the decades, the field evolved rapidly, and by the 1980s there was a clear need for a unified professional organisation that could support clinicians, scientists, therapists, nurses and others involved in rheumatology care. In 1984, the Heberden Society and the British Association for Rheumatology and Rehabilitation combined to form the British Society for Rheumatology - the organisation we know today. This was more than administrative; it represented a coming together of diverse expertise and a commitment to excellence in education, research, policy and clinical practice.
Education as our foundation
For us, education isn’t just an annual focus - it is at the heart of our mission. From the earliest meetings of the Heberden Society to today’s digital learning platforms, we have always pursued education as a vehicle for clinical excellence and better outcomes for people living with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).
Today, our comprehensive education offer supports lifelong learning for healthcare professionals at all career stages:
- CPD Accredited courses: structured learning opportunities designed to support people from the beginning of their career as a trainee right through until their retirement. These focused educational courses cover diverse areas such as crystal arthritis, ultrasound for rheumatology, nailfold capillaroscopy, and rheumatology practice for AHPs.
Podcasts: audible content that discusses the latest rheumatology news and findings, careers, guidelines, and interesting patient cases.
Whether you are a consultant rheumatologist, nurse specialist, allied health professional, trainee or researcher, there is something in our educational portfolio to support your practice and professional growth.
The power of shared knowledge
Looking back on 90 years of professional education since the founding of the Heberden Society (and more than 40 since the birth of the BSR) we can see how far our collective learning has brought us. Every guideline developed, every research breakthrough shared, and every clinician educated has a ripple effect on patient care across the UK and beyond. On this International Day of Education, we celebrate not just the milestones of the past, but the promise of the future for rheumatology. We’re proud to champion learning that strengthens our specialty, enriches our community and improves the health of people living with RMDs.
Learn more about our education offer on our courses and webinars page, and sign up to our upcoming Annual Conference.