Rheumatology workforce in Iran: Current status and future demand

This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of the rheumatology workforce in Iran. This survey was conducted by Iranian Rheumatology Associations (IRA). The questionnaire prepared for this study included the demographic characteristics, the duration of employment, the workload, the amount of monthly income and the job satisfaction of rheumatologists. Two hundred twenty-six (۷۴.۴%) of ۳۱۲ IRA member rheumatologists completed the questionnaire. The mean ± SD age was ۴۹.۷ ± ۷.۴ years, ۱۳۴ (۵۹.۳%) were female. Rheumatologists worked a median of ۵۲ hours per week. The median monthly income of rheumatologists was ۱۱۹۲ US dollars. Only ۰.۹% and ۶.۲% of participants agreed or somewhat agreed that their income was appropriate compared with other internal medicine subspecialities. The monthly income and job satisfaction of female rheumatologists were significantly lower than male rheumatologists. Considering the population of Iran in ۲۰۲۲, the number of rheumatologists per ۱۰۰,۰۰۰ people is ۰.۳۷ (۱ per ۲۷۰۰۰۰). Among all rheumatologists, ۳۵.۸% believed that there is a need for a rheumatology workforce in their city now and ۵۰.۹% believed that there is a need for a rheumatology workforce in their city in the next ۱۰ years. Only ۲۸.۳% saw the prospects of the field of rheumatology as positive in the next ۱۰ years, and ۴۷.۳% thought about immigration. Our findings highlight the shortage of rheumatologists and physician burnout in Iran. The low income and burnout may reduce the retention and productivity of the current workforce.

کلیدواژه ها:

rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) ، rheumatologist ، Workforce ، physician burnout ، Iran