How to Address the Rheumatology Workforce Gap

Paul H. Caldron, DO, PhD, MBA, is a clinical associate professor at Midwestern University, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine; a clinical assistant professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine; and a practicing rheumatologist at Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatology Associates, Phoenix.

References

1. Battafarano DF, Ditmyer M, Bolster MB, et al. 2015 American College of Rheumatology workforce study: Supply and demand projections
   of adult rheumatology workforce, 2015–2030. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2018 Apr;70(4):617–626.
2. Bolster MB, Bass AR, Hausmann JS, et al. 2015 American College of Rheumatology workforce study: The role of graduate medical education (GME) in adult rheumatology. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2018 Jun;70(6):817–825.
3. Hooker R, Rangan B. Role delineation of rheumatology physician assistants. J Clin Rheumatol. 2008 Aug;14(4):202–205.
4. Hooker R. The extension of rheumatology services with physician assistants and nurse practitioners. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2008 Jun;22(3):523–533.
5. Solomon DH, Bitton A, Fraenkel L, et al. Roles of nurse practitioners and physician assistants in rheumatology practices in the US. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2014 Jul;66(7):1108–1113.
6. Solomon DH, Fraenkel L, Lu B, Brown E, Tsao P, Losina E, et al. Comparison of care provided in practices with nurse practitioners and physician assistants versus subspecialist physicians only: A cohort study of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2015 Dec;67(12):1664–1670.
7. Smith BJ, Bolster MB, Slusher B, et al. Core curriculum to facilitate the expansion of a rheumatology practice to include nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2018;70:672–678.