Dr. Christopher Morris discusses his approach to training the next generation of rheumatologists to account for disparities in access to rheumatic care& the value of multidisciplinary medical organizations.
Tackling the Rheumatology Workforce Shortage
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The workforce shortage in rheumatology is a looming crisis that demands immediate attention. The ACR’s 2015 Workforce Study projected that by 2030, the supply of adult rheumatologists would dwindle by 31%, in contrast to the increase in demand by close to 138%.1 The situation is even worse for pediatric rheumatology and in rural and…
Advocacy Leadership Conference: Reflections from an Accidental Rheumatology Advocate
At my first Advocacy Leadership Conference as a member of the ACR’s Insurance Subcommittee, I discovered the power of stories from the clinic and how lawmakers value clinicians’ input on healthcare legislation.
The ACR Returns to In-Person Hill Day to Protect Patient Access to Care
More than 70 rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals convened in Washington, D.C., to advocate on behalf of legislation that would reduce patients’ out-of-pocket drug costs and help grow America’s healthcare workforce.
Beating the Workforce Shortage: 4 Practices Share Best Practices in ACR Town Hall
At a recent ACR town hall, four rheumatologists shared strategies that have helped them recruit new physicians amid a significant nationwide rheumatology workforce shortage.
A Lack of Pediatric Providers Can Have Long-Term Consequences
As with rheumatology care in general, the current demand for pediatric rheumatologists is greater than the supply of providers available. That imbalance is expected to increase significantly by 2030 unless action is taken, according to a new workforce study published in Arthritis Care & Research.1 The lack of pediatric providers is a serious problem that…
An Analysis of the Jobs Listed in the ACR’s CareerConnection Portal
Rheumatologists play a critical role in healthcare delivery, especially with an aging U.S. population. Despite this, a workforce shortage exists—one that is projected to worsen.1,2 The ACR CareerConnection service is free to job seekers searching for opportunities in the field of rheumatology.3 This study examines currently available rheumatology employment opportunities across the U.S. The ACR…
Providers & Patients Talk to Legislators about Telehealth, Workforce Shortage
On Sept. 15, rheumatology advocates met virtually with members of Congress to share personal accounts of how telehealth is making a difference during the COVID-19 pandemic and what will help stem a workforce shortage.
9 Steps to Transform Your Rheumatology Practice
The ACR position statement on access to care proposes the goal that “… all patients have timely access to expert rheumatology care … .”1 The reality is that new and established rheumatology patient wait times are often prolonged, causing delays in necessary diagnosis and treatment. The 2005 and 2015 ACR Workforce studies document intractable and…
The Georgia Society of Rheumatology in Focus
As president of the Georgia Society of Rheumatology (GSR), Wambui Machua, MD, a rheumatologist with Piedmont Physicians Rheumatology, Atlanta, oversees a membership of 90 rheumatologists, six orthopedists, two nurses, 85 physician assistants and 27 fellows and residents. According to Dr. Machua, the GSR, founded in 1967, continues to pursue its original mission of providing educational…