At a recent ACR town hall, four rheumatologists shared strategies that have helped them recruit new physicians amid a significant nationwide rheumatology workforce shortage.
Electronic Consultations Could Improve Access to Rheumatologic Care
Patients shouldn’t need to exercise patience when it comes to getting needed rheumatologic care. E-consults are an evolving telehealth modality with the potential to improve access to rheumatologic care in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
The Power of Advocacy
In 1916, a handful of conservation advocates successfully lobbied Congress to create the National Park Service, which now protects more than 85 million acres of U.S. land. Dedicated rheumatology advocacy has lasting effects, too, as evidenced by several policy wins in 2021 and efforts underway for 2022.
Supporting Rheumatologic Care for Pediatric Patients
As chair of the Pediatric Rheumatology Special Committee, Colleen Correll, MD, MPH, is supporting efforts to increase the pediatric rheumatology workforce as a whole and pediatric rheumatology representation in the ACR.
Bethany Marston, MD, Assumes Chair of Committee on Rheumatology Training & Workforce Issues
Noting that the pandemic has shifted what and how rheumatology trainees learn, Dr. Marston hopes the Committee on Rheumatology Training & Workforce Issues can work to understand current workforce needs and explore new educational opportunities.
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…