About Us

Western Rheumatology

About Us

Western Rheumatology is a partnership of three consultant rheumatologists - Dr Ronan Kavanagh, Dr Adrian Gibbs and Dr Caoilfhionn Connolly and is based primarily in Suite 19, Blackrock Health Galway Clinic.

Our Story

Dr Ronan Kavanagh started his rheumatology practice in 1999.

He moved to a new office in Blackrock Health Galway Clinic in 2004, he was joined by Dr Adrian Gibbs in 2007 forming Western Rheumatology. Dr Caoilfhionn Connolly joined the practice in 2024.

Our Team

Common questions

What is a rheumatologist?

A rheumatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing, managing, and treating diseases that affect the joints, muscles, bones, and immune system.

These conditions are often categorized as autoimmune or inflammatory diseases and can cause significant pain, disability, and systemic health complications.

Rheumatologists focus on a wide range of diseases, including but not limited to rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, gout, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, vasculitis, and Sjogren's syndrome. They also diagnose and treat rare disorders such as scleroderma, polymyositis, and dermatomyositis.

What training is involved in becoming a rheumatologist

Undergraduate Medical Education

(5 - 6 years)
Aspiring doctors complete a medical degree MB BCh, or equivalent. This degree provides a foundation in medical sciences and hands-on clinical experience in various healthcare settings.

Foundation Training

(2 - 3 years)
After medical school, doctors undertake a two to three-year program designed to give broad clinical experience across multiple specialties. This stage helps doctors build core clinical skills and decide on their preferred specialty.

Specialty Training in Rheumatology

(4 - 6 years)
Once foundation training is complete, doctors enter directly into Specialty Training in Rheumatology, which lasts 4 to 6 years. This training focuses exclusively on diagnosing and managing rheumatologic and autoimmune conditions. During this period, trainees work in outpatient clinics, inpatient care, and multidisciplinary team settings to develop expertise in a wide range of musculoskeletal and systemic diseases. This period of training will also include time spent in full time research.

Certification and Specialist Registration

At the end of specialty training, doctors earn the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), qualifying them to register as a consultant rheumatologist with the Irish Medical Council.

In total, the journey to becoming a rheumatologist in this pathway takes approximately 11 - 13 years from the start of medical school.

What special skills do rheumatologists have?

Rheumatologists develop specialized skills in diagnosing complex conditions using blood tests (e.g. autoimmune markers like ANA, rheumatoid factor) and advanced imaging techniques, such as musculoskeletal ultrasound and MRI.

They frequently perform joint aspirations and injections to relieve pain or reduce inflammation in affected joints.

In addition to their diagnostic skills, rheumatologists are highly experienced in managing biologic therapies and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which are vital for controlling autoimmune diseases.

Many also engage in research to stay at the forefront of advancing treatments.

Collaboration with other healthcare professionals, such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, orthopaedic surgeons and pain specialists, is a key part of their role, ensuring comprehensive and holistic care for patients with chronic, often life-altering, conditions.