2021 rheumatology wage report: Revenue development regardless of pandemic

The Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2021 affords worthwhile insights into rheumatology compensation traits in 2020 and the results of COVID-19 on rheumatologists. Whereas COVID-19 had a destructive impact on rheumatology practices, the typical rheumatologist wage grew and profession satisfaction is excessive amongst rheumatologists.

Common rheumatologist wage grew in 2020

The common rheumatologist wage for specialists grew from $262,000 in 2019 to $276,000 in 2020. The truth that this quantity grew regardless of the pandemic factors to the truth that rheumatologists are in persistently excessive demand.

Rheumatologists are in significantly excessive in demand in rural areas, which battle to recruit physicians on this specialty. Dr. Pierre Moeser is a rheumatologist who works locum tenens in doctor scarcity areas. He determined to work locum tenens when he realized many individuals in rural areas weren’t getting the rheumatology care they wanted.

“There are a lot of people out there who have never seen a rheumatologist. I saw there was a need nationally for this, so in 2018 I decided to expand the range of my services and closed my practice,” Dr. Moeser says.

The COVID impact on rheumatologists

Though the typical rheumatologist wage grew in 2020, not each rheumatologist was financially unaffected. The truth is, 42% of rheumatologists mentioned they noticed some decline in compensation in 2020, and 95% of those docs mentioned the explanation they earned much less was the COVID pandemic.

Nevertheless, regardless of this lower for some rheumatologists, 58% of rheumatologists mentioned they really feel pretty compensated.

On the intense aspect, 40% of survey respondents mentioned they anticipated their wage to return to regular within the subsequent yr, and a further 48% mentioned it'll get better throughout the subsequent 2-3 years.

Rheumatologists’ workload in 2020

Surveyed rheumatologists mentioned they noticed 85 sufferers per week earlier than the pandemic, they usually noticed a mean of 77 sufferers per week in 2020.

When rheumatologists weren’t seeing sufferers, they reported spending 15.2 hours per week on paperwork, which is barely higher than the 16.3 hours per week common throughout all physicians. On common, rheumatologists labored 47 hours per week in 2020, the identical as earlier than the pandemic.

Dr. Pierre Moeser says he prefers working locum tenens rheumatology, as a result of he spends much less time on paperwork and extra time with sufferers.

“I work as much as I can with patients because that’s what I’m there for. I do all the consultations, I do all the referrals, or whatever is asked of me there, because that’s why I’m there,” he says.

The challenges of rheumatology

Almost one quarter of respondents mentioned that probably the most difficult a part of their job is coping with troublesome sufferers, and one-fifth of respondents mentioned that working with an EHR system is difficult. Eighteen % of respondents struggled with guidelines and laws, whereas 17% of respondents had a tough time with getting reimbursement and negotiating with Medicare and different insurers.

One of the best a part of rheumatology

On the whole, rheumatologists are pleased with their chosen specialty. Eighty % of respondents mentioned that they’d nonetheless decide medication in the event that they got the prospect to begin over with their careers. And, 90% of respondents mentioned they’d nonetheless select rheumatology.

Almost a 3rd of respondents mentioned that probably the most rewarding a part of their job is with the ability to diagnose their sufferers’ medical issues, which makes them really feel good at what they do. The following most rewarding side, based on respondents, is forming relationships with sufferers and experiencing how grateful sufferers are for the rheumatologists’ work. One quarter of respondents mentioned this was probably the most rewarding side. One other rewarding a part of rheumatology, based on 24% of respondents, is the sense that you simply’re making the world a greater place and serving to others really feel higher.

Dr. Francis Nardella, one other rheumatologist who works locum tenens in rural areas, described the gratitude he feels from his sufferers.

“At most places I work, both the people who I work with and the patients, are appreciative of having somebody there,” Dr. Nardella says.

Rheumatologists are in excessive demand as locum tenens physicians. Give us a name at 954.343.3050 to study extra or view immediately’s locum tenens rheumatology job alternatives.

Chart photographs from Medscape.com