Results From the 2020 Canadian Rheumatology Association's Workforce and Wellness Survey

Stephanie C Kulhawy-Wibe; Jessica Widdifield; Jennifer J Y Lee; J Carter Thorne; Elaine A Yacyshyn; Michelle Batthish; Dana Jerome; Rachel Shupak; Konstantin Jilkine; Jane Purvis; Justin Shamis; Janet Roberts; Jason Kur; Jennifer E Burt; Nicole A Johnson; Cheryl Barnabe; Nicole M S Hartfeld; Mark Harrison; Janet E Pope; Claire E H Barber

doi:10.3899/jrheum.210990

Results From the 2020 Canadian Rheumatology Association's Workforce and Wellness Survey

J Rheumatol. 2022 Jun;49(6):635-643. doi: 10.3899/jrheum.210990. Epub 2022 Feb 1.

Authors

Stephanie C Kulhawy-Wibe¹, Jessica Widdifield², Jennifer J Y Lee³, J Carter Thorne⁴, Elaine A Yacyshyn⁵, Michelle Batthish⁶, Dana Jerome³, Rachel Shupak³, Konstantin Jilkine⁷, Jane Purvis⁸, Justin Shamis⁹, Janet Roberts¹⁰, Jason Kur¹¹, Jennifer E Burt¹², Nicole A Johnson¹, Cheryl Barnabe¹³, Nicole M S Hartfeld¹, Mark Harrison¹⁴, Janet E Pope¹⁵, Claire E H Barber¹⁶

Affiliations

¹ S.C. Kulhawy-Wibe, MD, MSc, N.A. Johnson, MD, MSc, N.M.S. Hartfeld, MSc, MC, CCC, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
² J. Widdifield, PhD, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Holland Bone and Joint Program, and ICES, and Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario.
³ J.J.Y. Lee, MD, D. Jerome, MD, MEd, R. Shupak, MD, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario.
⁴ J.C. Thorne, MD, University of Toronto, Toronto, and Centre of Arthritis Excellence, the Arthritis Program Research Group, Newmarket, Ontario.
⁵ E.A. Yacyshyn, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta.
⁶ M. Batthish, MD, MSc, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario.
⁷ K. Jilkine, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Max Rady College of Medicine, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
⁸ J. Purvis, MD, Department of Family Practice, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario.
⁹ J. Shamis, MD, North York General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario.
¹⁰ J. Roberts, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
¹¹ J. Kur, MD, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia.
¹² J.E. Burt, BScPT, Rheumatology Services, Eastern Health, St. John's, Newfoundland.
¹³ C. Barnabe, MD, MSc, C.E.H. Barber, MD, PhD, Department of Medicine and Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, and McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, and Arthritis Research Canada, Vancouver, British Columbia.
¹⁴ M. Harrison, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Arthritis Research Canada, Vancouver, and Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, Vancouver, British Columbia.
¹⁵ J.E. Pope, MD, MPH, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
¹⁶ C. Barnabe, MD, MSc, C.E.H. Barber, MD, PhD, Department of Medicine and Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, and McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, and Arthritis Research Canada, Vancouver, British Columbia; cehbarbe@ucalgary.ca.

PMID: 35105708
DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.210990

Abstract

Objective: The Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA) launched the Workforce and Wellness Survey to update the Canadian rheumatology workforce characteristics.

Methods: The survey included demographic and practice information, pandemic effects, and the Mini Z survey to assess burnout. French and English survey versions were distributed to CRA members electronically between October 14, 2020, and March 5, 2021. The number of full-time equivalent (FTE) rheumatologists per 75,000 population was estimated from the median proportion of time in clinical practice multiplied by provincial rheumatologist numbers from the Canadian Medical Association.

Results: Forty-four percent (183/417) of the estimated practicing rheumatologists (149 adult; 34 pediatric) completed the survey. The median age was 47 years, 62% were female, and 28% planned to retire within the next 5-10 years. Respondents spent a median of 65% of their time in clinical practice. FTE rheumatologists per 75,000 population were 0.62 nationally and ranged between 0.00 and 0.70 in each province/territory. This represents a deficit of 1-78 FTE rheumatologists per province/territory and 194 FTE rheumatologists nationally to meet the CRA's workforce benchmark. Approximately half of survey respondents reported burnout (51%). Women were more likely to report burnout (OR 2.86, 95% CI 1.42-5.93). Older age was protective against burnout (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.92-0.99). As a result of the pandemic, 97% of rheumatologists reported spending more time engaged in virtual care.

Conclusion: There is a shortage of rheumatologists in Canada. This shortage may be compounded by the threat of burnout to workforce retention and productivity. Strategies to address these workforce issues are needed urgently.

Keywords: health workforce; rheumatology.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Canada / epidemiology
Child
Female
Health Surveys
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Rheumatologists
Rheumatology*
Workforce