Staffing turnover and longer hours have led some rheumatologists, like Dr. Concoff, to shift career focus, such as venturing into industry. Others have retired or now use their knowledge in fields adjacent to medicine. Some have left medicine altogether. A study from Bain & Company found that 25% of U.S. clinicians are pondering a career switch, mostly due to burnout.1
A pre-pandemic survey of 128 attendees at a rheumatology symposium found that 50.8% expressed burnout in at least one Maslach Burnout Index domain.2 Dissatisfaction with EHRs was associated with a higher degree of burnout, along with lack of exercise and working more than 60 hours a week.
Workforce Shortage
Of course, clinicians’ leaving rheumatology contributes to workforce shortages—what Dr. Concoff now refers to as a workforce crisis.
An estimate of the 2015 adult rheumatology workforce—including physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants—posited that there were 6,013 providers and 5,415 clinical full-time equivalents (FTEs). However, the estimated demand exceeded the supply of clinical FTEs by 700 (12.9%).3 The same report predicted that by 2030, the number of clinicians would fall to 4,882 providers or 4,051 clinical FTEs, a 25.2% decrease from 2015 baseline levels. Demand in 2030 is projected to exceed supply by 4,133 clinical FTEs (102%).
Pediatric rheumatology is also expected to have a workforce gap, with demand reaching twice the supply, according to a 2022 report.4
These workforce shortages already severely affect the Northwest, Southwest and South Central regions of the U.S., says Dr. Battafarano. They’re only compounded by a baby boomer workforce looking to retire in the next few years.
The concern over workforce shortages along with related issues led the ACR to create a Workforce Solutions Committee in 2021.
It’s estimated that the pandemic may have caused an additional loss of 10% more full-time providers in the workforce, Dr. Battafarano says.
“It’s a tough time right now,” Dr. Hahn says. “And after three years of the pandemic, it could be the toughest time for healthcare because of staff shortages and everyone doing more with less.”
“Burnout, staffing issues and billing issues in the practice make it almost impossible for a private practice to survive,” says Dr. Gaylis.
Alleviate the Problem
The problem of burnout and workforce shortages in rheumatology, and medicine in general, likely won’t go away anytime soon. However, there are things leaders in private practices and academic organizations can do to try to address the issue:
