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

Medication side effects: What are your options? featured image

Diseases & Conditions

Medication side effects: What are your options?

Ever hear of tonsil stones? featured image

Diseases & Conditions

Ever hear of tonsil stones?

Harvard Health Ad Watch: Got side effects? There's a medicine for that featured image

Diseases & Conditions

Harvard Health Ad Watch: Got side effects? There's a medicine for that

Is the portfolio diet the best diet ever? featured image

Nutrition

Is the portfolio diet the best diet ever?

The popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters is soaring, but are they safe? featured image

Staying Healthy

The popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters is soaring, but are they safe?

Mpox is back: What to know and do featured image

Diseases & Conditions

Mpox is back: What to know and do

Are you getting health care you don't need? featured image

Staying Healthy

Are you getting health care you don't need?

Do tattoos cause lymphoma? featured image

Cancer

Do tattoos cause lymphoma?

Ever read your medical record? Here's why you should featured image

Staying Healthy

Ever read your medical record? Here's why you should

Health care should improve your health, right? featured image

Staying Healthy

Health care should improve your health, right?

The cicadas are here: How's your appetite? featured image

Nutrition

The cicadas are here: How's your appetite?

Is there a good side to drug side effects? featured image

Diseases & Conditions

Is there a good side to drug side effects?

A bird flu primer: What to know and do featured image

Diseases & Conditions

A bird flu primer: What to know and do

Harvard Health Ad Watch: New drug, old song, clever tagline featured image

Women's Health

Harvard Health Ad Watch: New drug, old song, clever tagline

Your amazing parathyroid glands featured image

Staying Healthy

Your amazing parathyroid glands

Can AI answer medical questions better than your doctor? featured image

Staying Healthy

Can AI answer medical questions better than your doctor?

How well do you worry about your health? featured image

Staying Healthy

How well do you worry about your health?

Does drinking water before meals really help you lose weight? featured image

Staying Healthy

Does drinking water before meals really help you lose weight?

Why do your prescription drugs cost so much? featured image

Diseases & Conditions

Why do your prescription drugs cost so much?

Seeking fitspiration on social media? featured image

Exercise & Fitness

Seeking fitspiration on social media?

Veins are a key player in the body: Here's why featured image

Staying Healthy

Veins are a key player in the body: Here's why

What to do when driving skills decline featured image

Staying Healthy

What to do when driving skills decline

A tough question: When should an older driver stop driving? featured image

Staying Healthy

A tough question: When should an older driver stop driving?

Kidneys, eyes, ears, and more: Why do we have a spare? featured image

Staying Healthy

Kidneys, eyes, ears, and more: Why do we have a spare?

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift.

The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness, is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School

Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health, plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise, pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School

Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss...from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts.

BONUS! Sign up now and
get a FREE copy of the
Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus, get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness.

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus, get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness.