Background/Purpose: Currently, Latin America does not have detailed information of women in rheumatologists based on education, working conditions, productivity, distribution of time between work activities and job satisfaction. The purpose of this survey was to provide more information of the rheumatology women in Latin America.

Methods: A digital survey was created using the Google Forms platform, it was approved and endorsed by the scientific committee of PANLAR and later sent to the different rheumatology associations of the region. The data was analyzed in the statistical program SPSS v.23.

Results: There were 318 women with an average age of 44 ± 10.7 [25-71], mostly mestizo ethnicity 60%, white 38%, indigenous 1%, African American 1% and Asian 1%. 58% are married, 28% are single, 8% are divorced, 5% are in free-union and 2% are widows. The mean number of children was 1.21 ± 1.11 [0-5]. The country with the largest number of rheumatologists was Argentina 32%, Brazil 16% and Mexico 11%. 37% of rheumatologists had at least one comorbidity, 17% thyroid disease, 7% osteoarthritis, 6% hypertension, 4% diabetes, 4% depression, 4% autoimmune diseases, 1% artery disease and 1% gout. 35% work in private hospitals, 27% private practice, 21% in government hospitals, 16% university hospitals and 1% in non-profit organizations. 86% is dedicated to adult rheumatology, 20% internal medicine, 15% pediatric rheumatology and 2% to immunology. The average of weekly work hours was 39.4 ± 18.3 [4-120], male rheumatologist weekly hours mean was 38.3 ± 17.1 [0-120]. 29% have training in musculoskeletal ultrasound, 75% training in densitometry reading and 50% training in musculoskeletal MRI. 72% have access to early arthritis clinic. 39% have an annual income below 19K, 19% between 20-29K, 11% between 30-39K, 14% between 50-99K, 9% between 40-49K and only 8% earn above 100K per year compared to male rheumatologist which 27% have an annual income below 19K, 12% between 20-29K, 12% between 30-39K, 19% between 50-99K, 10% between 40-49K and 20% earn above 100K per year. Regarding the satisfaction of the general practice, the average was 5.2 ± 1.25 [0-7], career options / professional growth 4.16 ± 2.01[0-7], geographic location 4.57 ± 2.11[0-7], income salary 3.2 ± 1.78 [0-7], job security 3.40 ± 1.87[0-7], colleagues and coworkers 4.42 ± 2.07[0-7]. 59% have a malpractice insurance. 88% have medical insurance and 70% retirement plan.

Conclusion: There are more women rheumatologist in the region compare to male rheumatologist. Women rheumatologist feel satisfied with their clinical practice, however, compared to male rheumatologist women have a lower annual income. This is the first study of its kind in Latin America. 

« Back to 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting

ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/the-status-of-latin-american-women-in-rheumatology/