Overwhelmed by a combination of time-consuming administrative work, restricted autonomy and a loss of community, all of which have contributed to burnout throughout the specialty, according to Paula Marchetta, MD, MBA, president of the American College of Rheumatology. One observation was the simple disappearance of the doctors’ lounge in many hospitals.
So true Dr. Abeer Eid in many countries without a clear multidisciplinary co-management policy at even tertiary care services. Disappointingly, in private practice, a rheumatology case isn't promptly referred from other specialites. Its a complex situation that developed especially in the absence of strict work flow outlines.
Dear Prof. Gheita
The 2019 Medscape Lifestyle/Happiness/Burnout report does not paint such a bleak picture. Rheumatologists are the happiest physicians outside work:
https://www.medscape.com/slideshow/2019-lifestyle-happiness-6011057#3
And they are somewhere in the middle with regards to happiness at work:
https://www.medscape.com/slideshow/2019-lifestyle-rheumatologist-6011152#3
Obviously this is from an American perspective, but then in your question, the initial comment was from the President of ACR, so there seems to be a discrepancy here.
Dear Prof. Swan Sim Yeap
Thank you for your input regarding this open discussion. I hope the discussion question is not mis-understood. Being said by the president of the ACR doesn’t mean it’s a precise and exclusive reflection of American Rheumatologists. In fact I believe the mates from the states are even happier than their peers around the world. Moreover, as you mention happiness is achieved outside work :)
Having problems and difficulties during daily practice doesn’t mean you are unhappy. She mentioned that a combination of time-consuming administrative work, restricted autonomy and a loss of community, have all contributed to burnout throughout the specialty. This speech was given during this months' ACR opening ceremony with a diversity of attendees from different nations. So yes it may be strange to hear that Rheumatologists are struggling in the US during their practice. Surprisingly, the disappearance of the doctors’ lounge in hospitals was a suggested reason!
https://www.healio.com/rheumatology/practice-management/news/online/%7Bea365022-f984-4363-8725-b3f9b1cad305%7D/acr-president-all-of-us-in-rheumatology-are-embattled-with-burnout
An importantly emerging worldwide shortfall in the provision of rheumatologists is persistently reported, although the number of rheumatologists in developed countries far exceeds that in developing ones; and the situation is likely to worsen over the coming decades.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4408363/
Malaysia is a lovely country that adds to the happiness of practicing medicine and I believe that standing from your position in the APLAR you can easily detect the complexities that rheumatologists face elsewhere.
Im happy to be a Rheumatologist – couldn’t have thought of any other speciality as exciting - but this doesn’t mean that the overall daily practice is as easy as it is with other (more mature) specialties.
If suitable, I would like to take the chance to cordially invite you to the RHEUMATOLOGY group on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/19448554147/about/
Best wishes,
Tamer Gheita
Dear Prof. Gheita
Thank you for your reply and clarification. Yes, in the developing world, rheumatologists are in short supply, so the workload is heavy. For example, in Malaysia, where I practice, there are only 81 rheumatologists for a population of 31 million. However despite the workload, the day-to-day work remains interesting and challenging.
Let us all continue to expand the rheumatology community!
Yes Professor you're tackling a very important issue. The physicians are consumed in e exhaustion more than ever... and in every hospital more facilities should be added to provide a good rest place and time for doctors.
Nearly all physicians from other specialities encounter such problems. Not enough time for regeneration
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