gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: Health workforce shortage is increasingly recognised, yet effective interventions are lacking in rheumatology. This study aims to analyse health workforce trends in rheumatology and how rheumatologists perceive their work conditions.

Methods: Multi-methods approach, combining health labour market assessment of German rheumatologists (public statistics 2000–2019) and questionnaire-based online survey conducted in early 2021 (rheumatologists and residents, n=101 respondents); selected items: work hours, workload and mental health, discrimination/sexual harassment experiences and impact of COVID-19. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed for standardised items and qualitative content analysis for free-text information.

Results: Between 2000 and 2019 the numbers of rheumatologists increased markedly in the groups aged +50 years, but only 9% in younger groups under 50 years; since 2010 the group 40–50 years even showed strong decreases. In 2019, the absolute numbers of rheumatologists working in healthcare after retirement-age exceeded those aged 40 and under. Survey data revealed a strong mismatch between actual and desired work hours of both women and men. 81% rated their workload as high or very high; every sixth rheumatologist has suffered from stress or burnout syndromes at least once in the past. Experiences of gender discrimination and sexual harassment/violence were frequently reported, mostly by women. COVID-19 was an amplifier of stress with major stressors being digitalisation and increased demand for communication and patient education.

Conclusion: Our study reveals severe decreasing health labour market capacities of younger rheumatologist and worsening work conditions, that call for urgent action to ensure future rheumatology care.

Disclosures: Die Arbeitsmarktanalyse wurde von Novartis unterstützt.