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Successes, challenges and developments in Australian rheumatology

Nature Reviews Rheumatology volume 11, pages 430–436 (2015)Cite this article

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Abstract

Australia is a geographically vast but sparsely populated country with many unique factors affecting the practice of rheumatology. With a population comprising minority Indigenous peoples, a historically European-origin majority population, and recent large-scale migration from Asia, the effect of ethnic diversity on the phenotype of rheumatic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a constant of Australian rheumatology practice. Australia has a strong system of universal healthcare and subsidized access to medications, and clinical and research rheumatology are well developed, but inequitable access to specialist care in urban and regional centres, and the complex disconnected structure of the Australian healthcare system, can hinder the management of chronic diseases.

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Figure 1: Disconnection in the Australian healthcare system—a model solution.
Figure 2: The Australian rheumatology workforce.
Figure 3: Rheumatology services in Victoria, Australia.

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Acknowledgements

The opinions expressed in this article are ours, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Asia–Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR), the Australian Rheumatology Association (ARA), the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) or the Australian government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Monash University School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash Medical Centre, Locked Bag No 29, Melbourne, 3168, Clayton, Australia

    Eric F. Morand

  2. Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton, 3800, Melbourne, Australia

    Michelle T. Leech

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E.F.M. researched data for the article. Both authors contributed to discussion of content, writing and review/editing of the manuscript before submission.

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Correspondence to Eric F. Morand.

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Morand, E., Leech, M. Successes, challenges and developments in Australian rheumatology. Nat Rev Rheumatol 11, 430–436 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrrheum.2015.22

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