title: Status of private rheumatology in Spain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rheumatologic care is offered by the National Health System in Spain. However, more than a quarter of health spending is carried out in private medicine. Currently, there are no data about the number of rheumatologists with private activity in Spain.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the number of rheumatologists with private activity in Spain and to describe the profile and location of these professionals.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey was developed and sent from the SER Commission on Private Practice to all SER active members. Data collection ends in December 2014. A descriptive statistical analysis and comparison of results was done.
  
  
  RESULTS
  759 answers from a total of 980 surveys sent (77.45%) were obtained; 38% of Spanish rheumatologists have private activity; 13% exclusively private practice and 25% private practice shared with his or her public activity. The private practice rheumatologist profile is: male, 49 years old with 19 years of experience after finishing the specialty and with a working day of 42hours per week. There is a clear predominance of private practice in the Autonomous Community of Catalonia with 28% of the total, followed by Madrid 18%, Andalusia 12% and Valencia 8%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  38% of Spanish rheumatologists are working in private practice. The profile of professionals working in private practice is different from that of those who work exclusively in public health. Private rheumatology is located in all regions, although most private rheumatologists are located in the regions of Catalonia, Madrid, Valencia and Andalusia, representing more than 50% of the total.
authors: Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Universitari Dexeus-Grupo Quirón Salud, Barcelona, España. Electronic address: yoldi.ser@gmail.com.
authors: Beatriz
authors: B
authors: Yoldi Muñoz
authors: Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Barcelona, España; Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Quirón, Barcelona, España.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Gómez Centeno
authors: Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Universitario Valle de Hebrón, Barcelona, España.
authors: José Vicente
authors: JV
authors: Moreno Muelas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D008875:Middle Aged; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D011331:Private Practice / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013030:Spain; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Medicina privada; Private practice; Private rheumatology; Reumatología; Reumatología privada; Rheumatology