Updated projections suggest that arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitation will remain large and growing problems for clinical and public health systems, which must plan and create policies and resources to address these future needs. Can the healthcare system accommodate these projected increases? By 2025, the expected demand for rheumatologists is expected to exceed supply by 2,576 adult and 33 pediatric rheumatologists. The shortage of rheumatologists in non-urban areas is especially critical; for some areas, the closest rheumatologist is located more than 200 miles away.
Strategies to address these shortages include using more physician assistants and nurse practitioners, implementing nurse-led clinics and intensifying efforts to recruit trainees to the rheumatology and orthopedic specialties. As an adjunct to clinical care, healthcare providers can also refer patients to effective self-management education and physical activity programs offered in their local communities.
Excerpted and adapted from:
Hootman JM, Helmick CG, Barbour KE, et al. Updated projected prevalence of self-reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitation among US adults, 2015–2040. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2016 Jul;68(7):1582–1587.
