Ziade Nelly, Hmamouchi Ihsane, Haouichat Chafika, Baron Fatemah, Al Mayouf Sulaiman, Abdulateef Nizar, Masri Basel, El Rakawi Manal, El Kibbi Lina, El Mashaleh Manal, Elzorkany Bassel, Al Saleh Jamal, Dejaco Christian, Abutiban Fatemah
Rheumatology Department, Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon.
Tour Des Consultations Externes, Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, 6th Floor, Alfred Naccache blvd., Achrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon.
Rheumatol Int. 2023 Dec;43(12):2281-2292. doi: 10.1007/s00296-023-05427-x. Epub 2023 Aug 25.
The Arab League of Associations for Rheumatology (ArLAR) Research Group (ARCH) conducted this study to investigate the number of current practicing rheumatologists in the Arab countries, to estimate the projected number of rheumatologists in 10 years, and to evaluate the current workload, practice profile, consultation waiting time, and geographical mobilities of these rheumatologists. This cross-sectional survey study was conducted in 16 Arab countries in two parts. The first survey was addressed nominally to national societies to estimate the current and projected workforce. The second was an anonymous e-survey elaborated by the study steering committee on the Google Forms platform and distributed to Arab rheumatologists using social media, WhatsApp, and mass e-mails to evaluate their practice. The mean number of rheumatologists in Arab countries was 0.84 per 100,000 inhabitants (mean age 47.5 years, 55% females), ranging from 0.06 (Sudan) to 1.86 (Tunisia). The number of rheumatologists is expected to increase by 50% in 2032. Nevertheless, a 20% increase in population associated with an increase in demand is also expected. Data from 446 rheumatologists (mean age 43.9 years, 60.5% females) revealed that 72% worked full-time, and 53% were employed in the public sector only. The average waiting time for a rheumatology consultation was 19.9 days. Of 394 rheumatologists, 19% obtained their rheumatology diplomas from non-Arab countries, and 47% of Gulf rheumatologists were non-citizen physicians. Considering local demographic disparities, healthcare system differences, and geographical mobilities, national authorities are advised to implement effective intervention plans to optimize the rheumatology workforce.
阿拉伯风湿病协会联盟（ArLAR）研究小组（ARCH）开展了这项研究，以调查阿拉伯国家目前执业的风湿病医生数量，估计10年后风湿病医生的预计数量，并评估这些风湿病医生目前的工作量、执业概况、会诊等待时间和地域流动性。这项横断面调查研究分两部分在16个阿拉伯国家进行。第一次调查名义上是针对各国学会，以估计当前和预计的劳动力情况。第二次是由研究指导委员会在谷歌表单平台上精心设计的匿名电子调查，通过社交媒体、WhatsApp和群发电子邮件分发给阿拉伯风湿病医生，以评估他们的执业情况。阿拉伯国家风湿病医生的平均数量为每10万居民0.84名（平均年龄47.5岁，女性占55%），范围从0.06名（苏丹）到1.86名（突尼斯）。预计到2032年，风湿病医生数量将增加50%。然而，预计人口也将增加20%，需求随之增加。来自446名风湿病医生（平均年龄43.9岁，女性占60.5%）的数据显示，72%全职工作，53%仅受雇于公共部门。风湿病会诊的平均等待时间为19.9天。在394名风湿病医生中，19%的人在非阿拉伯国家获得了风湿病文凭，47%的海湾地区风湿病医生是非本国公民医生。考虑到当地的人口差异、医疗系统差异和地域流动性，建议各国当局实施有效的干预计划，以优化风湿病医生队伍。
