History of the PCRMM Society

The PCRMM Society was co-founded in 1986 by two GPs: Dr John Dickson and Dr Ray Millian. They realised that musculoskeletal (MSK) medicine and rheumatological disorders accounted for a significant proportion of their work in primary care but there was little knowledge of how best to treat rheumatological disorders and MSK. The aim of the society was (and remains) to improve knowledge of musculoskeletal & rheumatology disorders in primary care through education, research and creation of national guidelines and standards with the aim of improving patient outcomes. At the time the society was created MSK medicine was considered part of Rheumatology and so the society was called the Primary Care Rheumatology (PCR) Society. To reflect the fact that MSK medicine is now considered a speciality in its own right the name of the society was formally changed in 2018 to its current name of the Primary Care Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal Medicine (PCRMM) Society. These days the Society accepts members from all members of the primary and intermediate care team including nurses, physiotherapists, first contact practitioners and physician assistants as well as GPs.

The PCR was the first GP Primary Care Society in the world. It remains the only primary care society for GPs and their teams in both MSK and rheumatological medicine worldwide. The society is known for its trademark kind and friendly approach welcoming old and new members alike. Building on from its innovative use of hands-on workshops at its educational events the Society has developed a strong record in education first with it’s Diploma in Primary Care Rheumatology at the University of Bath (no longer running) and more recently the creation of the Diploma in MSK Medicine with Rheumatology with Bradford University. Most recently the Society has been actively involved in developing a national standard for entry level into MSK medicine with the PCRMM-FSEM Diploma in Musculoskeletal Medicine which is accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh). This diploma is designed to act as an entry level for all members of the primary care team wishing to develop their skills in MSK medicine and act as a stepping stone before considering a higher level qualification such as the Bradford Diploma.