Survey of rheumatologists in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia regarding the occupational situation and activities in further education: no way out of the undersupply of rheumatological care

Many regions in the middle of Germany have a deficit in specialized rheumatological care. A survey was undertaken to investigate whether the regional capacities for rheumatological advanced training are sufficient to provide an adequate number of rheumatologists in the future. All 91 rheumatologists registered in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia received a questionnaire that was sent back by 66% of the recipients (23 responses from Saxony, 19 from Saxony-Anhalt, 18 from Thuringia). Of the rheumatologists 41 were in private practice, 19 worked in an inpatient department and the mean duration of professional activity was 18 years. Over the last decade the number of patients treated by rheumatologists in private practices increased from 1200 to 1500 per quarter year (p