Introduction

This week we discuss a pressing issue facing healthcare in the United States: The shortage of rheumatologists nationwide. With millions of American suffering from rheumatic diseases, the demand for specialized care has never been greater. Meanwhile, the supply of rheumatologists has not kept pace with this demand. Leaving many patients struggling to access the care they need. Today, we are joined by Dr. Daniel Battafarano, co-chair of the ACR Workforce Study, whose aim was to understand this very topic. We explore the root causes of this shortage, its impact on patient care and potential solutions for addressing this critical issue.