# Rheumatology specialist care in Europe: workforce trends and regional variations from a UEMS survey (European Union of medical specialists)

## TL;DR

This study examines rheumatology workforce trends and care models across 17 European countries, revealing significant regional differences in specialist availability and healthcare delivery.

## Contribution

The paper provides the first cross-national snapshot of rheumatology workforce supply and care structures in Europe.

## Key findings

- Rheumatologist numbers vary from 0.7 to 5.1 per 100,000 inhabitants across European countries.
- Non-clinical duties consume up to 40% of rheumatologists' working time in some regions.
- Non-inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions account for about 23% of rheumatology consultations.

## Abstract

The demand for rheumatologic specialist care is rising across Europe, driven by aging populations, earlier diagnoses, and increasingly complex treatment regimens as well as increased complexity of patients, e.g., multi-morbidity. At the same time, the speciality faces growing workforce shortages. This study aims to provide a first cross-national snapshot of rheumatology workforce supply and care structures in Europe.

A structured questionnaire was distributed to the members of the Section of Rheumatology of the UEMS (Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes). The survey, conducted in 2021 and updated in 2023, assessed specialist numbers, work allocation, care settings, and consultation patterns across 17 European countries.

Data from 24 respondents representing 17 countries revealed substantial differences in rheumatology care organization. While some countries rely predominantly on hospital outpatient clinics, others favor private practice models. The number of rheumatologists ranged from 0.7 to 5.1 per 100,000 inhabitants, with marked variation in full-time equivalents (FTEs), part-time work, and gender distribution. Non-clinical duties such as administration, teaching, and research consume up to 40% of working time in some settings. Non-inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions account for approximately 23% of rheumatology consultations, though their management varies widely between countries.

This survey underscores the heterogeneity of rheumatologic care across Europe, both in workforce availability and in healthcare delivery models. The data highlight the need for context-specific workforce planning and serve as a preliminary contribution to the broader EULAR initiative “RheumaFacts,” which aims to establish a standardized, comparative database on rheumatology workforce, demand, and need.