Rheumatology training and awareness among undergraduates in Indian medical schools: a multicenter observational study.

Background: Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, which are prevalent in nearly 25-30% of the Indian population, pose a significant burden on public health. However, the field is often overlooked in undergraduate medical curricula, leading to a shortage of adequately trained healthcare professionals to address these conditions, especially at the primary health care level. Enhancing rheumatology training for undergraduates in India is imperative.