Rheumatology

We diagnose and treat children and youth with conditions that affect the joints and connective tissue, called rheumatic diseases.

The Rheumatology Clinic provides care for children and youth with rheumatic diseases, including:

Chronic arthritis (juvenile idiopathic arthritis)
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Dermatomyositis
Scleroderma
Vasculitis
Recurrent fever syndromes
Other less-common inflammatory diseases

We provide:

Clinical assessments
Follow-up clinics for children and youth
Treatment from specialized pediatric rheumatology physiotherapists and occupational therapists
Telephone consultations with pediatricians and family doctors throughout BC and Yukon

We offer combined clinics with nephrology, dermatology and neurology experts. These clinics provide specialized medical care for patients with immune-mediated kidney, skin, and neurological diseases.

Our clinic also supports pediatric outreach clinics, and a transition program for older youth and young adults with rheumatic diseases.

Referral information

Patients need a referral from a doctor to access care at our clinic.

Appointment details

The first visit to the Rheumatology Clinic is usually the longest. This allows enough time to review your child or youth's history, discuss any information sent by referring physicians, examine your child or youth, and discuss the findings with you.

We take a team-based approach to care. During your clinic visits, you and your child or youth may meet with several team members, including a medical trainee, nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, social worker or research associate. You will always meet with one of our staff pediatric rheumatologists.

Our clerical staff will help you coordinate other appointments or tests so that, if possible, you can have them all on the same day while you are at BC Children's Hospital.

Contact us

Address:
Room K4-120
4480 Oak Street
Vancouver, BC
V6H 3V4

Phone: 604-875-2437 or 604-875-3678
Fax: 604-875-3141

Email: rheumatologyclinic@cw.bc.ca
Rheumatology nursing email: Rheumatologynurses@cw.bc.ca

Our rheumatology doctors participate in RACE (Rapid Access to Consultative Expertise). They are available to discuss cases with other health-care providers.

Additional resources

Rheumatology Patient and Family Resources

Hospital information

What to bring for your stay

Depending on the length of your visit or stay and the care your child receives, you may need to pack differently.

What to Bring

Support for siblings visiting the hospital

BC Children’s Hospital has a dedicated Sibling Support Centre that provides safe, short-term sibling support for up to two hours.

Sibling Supports

Maps and accessibility supports

Information on getting around BC Children's Hospital, including accessibility, safety and navigation supports.

Get Around the Hospital

Indigenous Health

We advocate for and provide support to Indigenous patients and families who are visiting the hospital.

Learn about Indigenous Health services

We are grateful to all the First Nations who have cared for and nurtured the lands and waters around us for all time, including the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), and səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) on whose unceded and ancestral territory our head office is located.

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