Rheumatology workforce
Daniel Battafarano, DO
Daniel F. Battafarano, DO, PLLC, San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, Texas, United States
Disclosure(s): No financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
Vivekanand Tiwari, MBBS
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
Lebanon, NH, United States
Disclosure information not submitted.
This proposal is born out of a deep concern for the well-being of the rheumatology workforce and the quality of care we provide to our patients.  The issue of burnout among rheumatologists is increasingly pervasive, with the rate of burnout exceeding 50% in surveys and studies. Rheumatology, with its intricate patient cases and high administrative burdens, is particularly susceptible to burnout. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this problem. It is essential to address this issue head-on, as burnout not only affects our job satisfaction and personal lives but also impacts patient care quality and safety.
To make matters worse, the workforce shortage in rheumatology is a looming crisis that demands immediate attention. The American College of Rheumatology 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%. The situation is even worse for pediatric rheumatology and in rural and remote areas. Without interventions to mitigate this shortage, patient outcomes and access to care are at risk. This session aims to bring together experts and rheumatology practitioners to identify the causes of burnout, share effective coping strategies, and explore solutions to mitigate the workforce shortage. By addressing these pressing issues, we can work towards a more sustainable, fulfilling, and patient-centered future for rheumatology.
Speaker: Leonard Calabrese, DO – Cleveland Clinic
Speaker: Beth Jonas – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Speaker: Colleen Correll, MD,MPH – University of Minnesota
Speaker: Daniel Albert, MD – Dartmouth-Hitchcock
Panelist: Daniel Albert, MD – Dartmouth-Hitchcock
Panelist: Leonard Calabrese, DO – Cleveland Clinic
Panelist: Colleen Correll, MD,MPH – University of Minnesota
Panelist: Beth Jonas – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill