title: Review of Current Workforce for Rheumatology in the Countries of the Americas 2012-2015.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With the increases in and aging of the populations of the Americas, monitoring the number of rheumatologists is critical to address and focus on areas of greatest need.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to gather data on the rheumatology workforce from 21 national societies in the Pan American League of Associations for Rheumatology (PANLAR).
  
  
  METHODS
  In September and October 2012 and again in October and November 2015, the heads of the 21 rheumatology national societies were contacted in the 2012 survey; all national societies responded except Cuba. In the 2015 survey, all responded except Nicaragua, for which information was provided by national society presidents in adjacent countries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data from 21 societies contained in PANLAR consist of 10,166 adult and 678 pediatric rheumatologists serving 961 million people. The number of rheumatologists per 100,000 population varies greatly from 3.9 per 100,000 people (Uruguay) to 0.11 per 100,000 people (Nicaragua). The number of training programs also varies widely, with some countries having no indigenous programs. The distribution of rheumatologists is mainly in the large cities, particularly in the smaller countries. Pediatric rheumatologists have dramatically increased in number in 2012, but 96% reside in 6 countries. This remains an underserved area in most countries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rheumatology workforce in the Americas has improved between 2012 and 2015, especially in the number of pediatric rheumatologists. However, numerically and in the perception of the 21 member societies of PANLAR, the number is still inadequate to meet the increasing demands for rheumatologic care, especially in the care of children with rheumatic disease and in rural areas.
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Rheumatology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX.
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Reveille
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Soriano
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Albanese
authors.forename: Graciela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Espada
authors.forename: Carlos Jose
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lozada
authors.forename: Ruben Antonio
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Montúfar
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Neubarth
authors.forename: Gloria M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Vasquez
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zummer
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sheen
authors.forename: Carlo V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Caballero-Uribe
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pineda
mesh_terms: D000569:Americas; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases; D000072140:Rheumatologists / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D012219:Rheumatology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce