Rheumatology manpower in the public system in Catalonia (Spain)

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Healthcare Workforce Analysis
• Public Health

Background:

• Assessing the current rheumatology landscape in Catalonia is crucial for healthcare planning.
• Previous studies need updating to reflect recent demographic and practice changes.

Observation:

• An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2017.
• Data were collected via an online questionnaire from rheumatologists in Catalonia's public healthcare system.
• Information was gathered on 109 rheumatologists and their respective services.

Findings:

• The number of rheumatologists increased by 8% in five years, with a predominance of female practitioners (70 women vs. 39 men).
• The mean age of rheumatologists is 47±9 years, with most practicing full-time in hospital settings.
• A significant portion (50%) also practice privately, and 76% of their time is dedicated to clinical practice.
• Most rheumatology services (70.5%) are hierarchically dependent on internal medicine or orthopaedic surgery.
• Six hospitals in Catalonia still lack a dedicated rheumatologist.

Implications:

• The growing rheumatologist population and shift towards female practitioners necessitate strategic workforce planning.
• The hierarchical dependence of rheumatology services may impact resource allocation and operational efficiency.
• Addressing the geographical disparities and hospital coverage gaps is essential for equitable patient access to rheumatology care.