[Portuguese rheumatology in 2009: a window towards 2019].
BACKGROUND
Rheumatology has 60 years in Portugal 31 of them as an autonomous specially. However since the beginning, all of what has been achieved was by a small number of specialists.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the human resources in rheumatologists with a link to the Portuguese national health service (SNS) in 2009 and to predict the evaluation until 2019.


METHODS
Data regarding sex, age, link to SNS was obtained by consulting the Portuguese medical association and the Portuguese society of rheumatology data base.


RESULTS
In 2009 there are 99 specialists linked to SNS that corresponds to 0,93 for 100,000 people with a higher number of female specialists. There is a consistent increase in the number since 2002.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a national plan since 2002 and although an increase of number is observed there is still a need for 77 to 119 until 2019.


CONCLUSIONS
Considering 50% of needed appointments as our target, Portugal has still one of the lowest ratings in number of rheumatologists per capita in Europe. If nothing is changed the predicted values existing and needed will only be achieve in 2032.
Cunha-Miranda
Luis
L
Instituto Português de Reumatologia, Membro do Colégio da Especialidade de Reumatologia da Ordem dos Médicos, Lisboa. . lcunhamiranda@hotmail.com
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011174:Portugal; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000639:trends; D000078329:Workforce