PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Daniel G.  Fernández-Ávila
AU  - Julián Barahona-Correa
AU  - Diana Romero-Alvernia
AU  - Sergio Kowalski
AU  - Ana Sapag
AU  - Antonio Cachafeiro-Vilar
AU  - Belia Meléndez
AU  - Carlos Pastelín
AU  - Daniel Palleiro
AU  - Dina Arrieta
AU  - Gil Reyes
AU  - Guillermo J.  Pons-Estel
AU  - Jossiell Then-Báez
AU  - Manuel F.  Ugarte-Gil
AU  - Mario H.  Cardiel
AU  - Nelly Colman
AU  - Nilmo Chávez
AU  - Paula I.  Burgos
AU  - Rubén Montufar
AU  - Sayonara Sandino
AU  - Yurilis J.  Fuentes-Silva
AU  - Enrique R.  Soriano
TI  - Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on rheumatology practice in Latin America
AID  - 10.3899/jrheum.201623
DP  - 2021 Jun 15
TA  - The Journal of Rheumatology
PG  - jrheum.201623
4099  - http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2021/06/10/jrheum.201623.short
4100  - http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2021/06/10/jrheum.201623.full
AB  - Objective To describe the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Latin American rheumatologists from a professional, economic, and occupational point of view. Methods We conducted an observational cross-sectional study using an online survey sent to rheumatologists of each non-English-speaking country member of the Pan American League of Rheumatology Associations (PANLAR). A specific questionnaire was developed. Results Our survey included 1097 rheumatologists from 19 Latin American countries. Median (IQR) age of respondents was 48 (40-59) years and 618 (56.3%) were female. Duration of practice since graduation as rheumatologist was 17 years, and 585 (53.3%) were under 50 years of age. Most rheumatologists worked in private practice (81.8%) and almost half worked in institutional outpatient centers (55%) and in-patient care (49.9%). The median number of weekly hours (IQR) of face-to-face practice before the pandemic was 27 (15-40) but it was reduced to 10 (5- 20) during the pandemic. Telehealth was used by 866 (78.9%) respondents during the pandemic. Most common methods of communication were video calls (555; 50.6%), telephone calls (499; 45.5%) and WhatsApp voice calls (423; 38.6%). A reduction in monthly wages was reported by 946 (86.2%) respondents. Consultation fees also were reduced and 88 (8%) rheumatologists stated they had lost their jobs. A reduction in patient adherence to medication was reported by nearly 50% of respondents. Eighty-one (7.4%) rheumatologists received a COVID-19 diagnosis and 7 (8.6%) of them were hospitalized. Conclusion COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped rheumatology practice in Latin America and has had a profound impact on rheumatologists' behaviors and clinical practice.