title: Successes, challenges and developments in Australian rheumatology.
abstract: Australia is a geographically vast but sparsely populated country with many unique factors affecting the practice of rheumatology. With a population comprising minority Indigenous peoples, a historically European-origin majority population, and recent large-scale migration from Asia, the effect of ethnic diversity on the phenotype of rheumatic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a constant of Australian rheumatology practice. Australia has a strong system of universal healthcare and subsidized access to medications, and clinical and research rheumatology are well developed, but inequitable access to specialist care in urban and regional centres, and the complex disconnected structure of the Australian healthcare system, can hinder the management of chronic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Monash University School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash Medical Centre, Locked Bag No 29, Clayton 3168, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Eric F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Morand
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton 3800, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Michelle T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Leech
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D035843:Biomedical Research; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D000078329:Workforce