Recent Articles
An action plan to fight unhealthy inflammation
How to treat spider bites and when you need to see your doctor
Gratitude enhances health, brings happiness — and may even lengthen lives
Skin care for aging skin: Minimizing age spots, wrinkles, and undereye bags
Medicare versus Medicaid: Key differences
Prostate cancer: Short-course radiation as effective as longer-term treatments
Lost a tooth? What to know about dental implants
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Evidence-based uses and unproven claims
Gatorade. Liquid IV. Do you need extra electrolytes?
Sexual violence can cast a long shadow on health
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
Diseases & Conditions
Does the sex of your surgeon matter? A new study says yes
Diseases & Conditions
Can ALS be caused by traumatic brain injury?
Mind & Mood
Tics and TikTok: Can social media trigger illness?
Pain
If you have knee pain, telehealth may help
Staying Healthy
Are poinsettias, mistletoe, or holly plants dangerous?
Pain
Got back pain? Can virtual reality provide real pain relief?
Diseases & Conditions
Harvard Health Ad Watch: An upbeat ad for a psoriasis treatment
Staying Healthy
Time to stock up on zinc?
Staying Healthy
Careful! Health news headlines can be deceiving
Staying Healthy
Preparing for the holidays? Don't forget rapid tests for COVID-19
Staying Healthy
Can vaping help you quit smoking?
Staying Healthy
Thinking about COVID booster shots? Here's what to know
Staying Healthy
What happened to trusting medical experts?
Diseases & Conditions
Is metformin a wonder drug?
Staying Healthy
Harvard Health Ad Watch: Can a wearable device reduce stress?
Diseases & Conditions
Wondering how much your medical care will cost? New rules could help
Diseases & Conditions
Remember the flu? Yep, it's that time again
Staying Healthy
Unvaccinated and misunderstood? Let's talk
Staying Healthy
Does HIPAA prohibit questions about vaccination?
Staying Healthy
Tempted to have genetic testing? First ask why
Diseases & Conditions
Can wearing contacts harm your vision?
Staying Healthy
Ready for your routine medical checkup?
Staying Healthy
Wondering about a headline-grabbing drug? Read on
Staying Healthy
Is our healthcare system broken?
Recent Articles
An action plan to fight unhealthy inflammation
How to treat spider bites and when you need to see your doctor
Gratitude enhances health, brings happiness — and may even lengthen lives
Skin care for aging skin: Minimizing age spots, wrinkles, and undereye bags
Medicare versus Medicaid: Key differences
Prostate cancer: Short-course radiation as effective as longer-term treatments
Lost a tooth? What to know about dental implants
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Evidence-based uses and unproven claims
Gatorade. Liquid IV. Do you need extra electrolytes?
Sexual violence can cast a long shadow on health