The care of patients with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases (RMDs) requires control of disease activity, close monitoring of the condition and management of the patient. Nurses have a key role in achieving optimal patient care, considering their interactions with other healthcare professionals and patients in the provision and coordination of health care. Within a multidisciplinary team, nurses contribute to coordination, developing care plans based on the needs and preferences of the individual, and providing personalized care. However, nurses are limited to practicing fully depending on national regulations in each country. In response to European standards of care, steps have been taken in Bulgaria to establish an organization of healthcare professionals in the field of rheumatology under the leadership of the Bulgarian Society of Rheumatology.

Stefka Stoilova is a Bulgarian healthcare professional with over three decades of experience in nursing and healthcare management. She began her career in 1990 as a nurse at UMHAT “Sveti Georgi” in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, and has since advanced her academic qualifications, earning a Bachelor’s degree (2019), Master’s degree (2021), and PhD (2025) in Healthcare Management from the Medical University of Plovdiv. Her doctoral dissertation focused on healthcare for patients with inflammatory joint diseases treated with biological agents, reflecting her commitment to improving patient care and advancing healthcare practices.