Rheumatology assistance care in Catalonia (Spain): year 2012.

Objective: To determine the current state of Rheumatology in Catalonia (Spain) and to update information regarding previous studies
Study Design: observational, descriptive and transversal.
Sample: Physicians practicing rheumatology in the public system of Catalonia. An epidemiological questionnaire was sent to all rheumatologists. The results were compared with previously published studies.
Results: Information was obtained on 130 rheumatologists (62 men/68 women, mean age 47±9 years). Seventy five (57.7%) physicians worked at a hospital, 5 (3.8%) in primary care and 50 (38.5%) in both. Seven (11.9%) hospitals had no rheumatologist. Eight hospitals were accredited by the National Commission to develop a training program in Rheumatology. The number of residents accredited by each hospital was variable.
Conclusions: The number of rheumatologists in the public health sector in Catalonia has increased 4.8% during the last seven years, unlike the 2005 study in which there was an increase of 40% over the previous eight years. There were 7 hospitals without a rheumatologist.
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