PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Stephen Zborovski
AU  - Gina Rohekar
AU  - Sherry Rohekar
TI  - Strategies to Improve Recruitment into Rheumatology: Results of the Workforce in Rheumatology Issues Study (WRIST)
AID  - 10.3899/jrheum.091389
DP  - 2010 Jul 01
TA  - The Journal of Rheumatology
PG  - jrheum.091389
4099  - http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2010/06/28/jrheum.091389.short
4100  - http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2010/06/28/jrheum.091389.full
AB  - Objective By 2026, there will be a 64% shortfall of rheumatologists in Canada. A doubling of current rheumatology trainees is likely needed to match future needs; however, there are currently no evidence-based recommendations for how this can be achieved. The Workforce in Rheumatology Issues Study (WRIST) was designed to determine factors influencing the choice of rheumatology as a career. Methods An online survey was created and invitations to participate were sent to University of Western Ontario (UWO) medical students, UWO internal medicine (IM) residents, Canadian rheumatology fellows, and Canadian rheumatologists. Surveys sent to each group of respondents were identical except for questions related to demographics and past training. Participants rated factors that influenced their choice of residency and scored factors related to the attractiveness of rheumatology and to recruitment strategies. Statistical significance was determined using chi-squared and factor analysis. Results The survey went out to 1014 individuals, and 491 surveys were completed (48.4%). Responses indicated the importance of exposure through rotations and role models in considering rheumatology. Significant (p < 0.002) differences between groups were evident regarding what makes rheumatology attractive and effective recruitment strategies, most interestingly with rheumatologists and trainees expressing opposite views on the latter. Conclusion Recommendations are made in 2 broad categories: greater exposure and greater information. As medical students and IM residents progress through their training, their interest in rheumatology lessens, thus it is important to begin recruitment initiatives as early as possible in the training process.