A Study of Rheumatology- What Experts’ Findings Are?
New studies indicate that the current rheumatological shortage will deteriorate over the next 10 years and there is continued to increase the demand for arthritis specialists or rheumatologists.
"We’re set to take care of the rheumatology requirements in America in 10 years ' time. Every part of the US [haves much less rheumatologists than we think would be optimal] will be affected in a negative manner, "says Daniel F. Battafarano, DO, Director, Rheumatology Service, Texas Military San Antonio Médical Centre.
He was the lead writer for an essay; Dr. Battafarano was the lead author of an online second report on the future of the rheumatology workers publishing in Arthritis & Rheumatology and Arthritis Treatment & Science.
In the first paper, Dr. Battafarano and his colleagues predict that the rheumatology workforce will decrease to 4,051 by 2050, equivalents to 5,415 full-time professionals in 2015 – including physicians (NP's) and physician assistants (PAs). The demand for arthritis treatment for adults is expected to rise between 25% and 50% during the same period, primarily because the U.S. population is growing and aged. In fact, the researchers predict that by 2030 the supply is expected to be half that which is optimal. (It is now approximately 13% below the optimal level.)
The study found in the papers indicates many factors, including that:
— An issue with the numbers: 50% of rheumatologists say over the next 10 years they are going to retire.
The problem with the pipeline: there are not enough younger doctors to retire.
The workforce that wishes to retain a work-life balance: the workforce currently in rheumatology is 41% female; a figure that is expected to rise to 67% by 2030. Past studies have shown that women work 7 hours less each week and 30% less than men per year. Sixty-four per cent of today's workforce are Millennials, born in 1982-2004, but will grow to 44 per cent by 2030. In 2015, the number of patients in the millennium was less than its peers in 2005.
A continuous issue with distribution: Most rheumatologists work in urban and suburban areas, which are not being served by most of the world. In the northeast, for example, 21% of adult rheumatologists were in 2015, with just 3.9% in the southwest.
Dr. Battafarano explained, the dynamics of the rheumatological community are changing. As these are estimates, he says that the figures might not be accurate over the next decade, but he says the patterns aren't right.
"What matters most is that this phenomenon is very, very troubling," says Battafarano, adding that rheumatology is not the only thing to do. "It takes place in primary and special care, so that all patients may face problems with access to treatment when they visit a primary health care provider or rheumatologist."
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**Disclaimer: This blog post does not establish terms of a doctor-patient relationship and is not intended to be taken as a doctor's advice.