Geographic disparities in the distribution and practice patterns of rheumatology providers may negatively impact patients with rheumatic diseases. The objective of this study from HIP Investigator Dr. Christie Bartels was to describe the distribution of rheumatologists with respect to the Area Deprivation Index (ADI) and to identify differences in practice patterns among Medicare Part D rheumatologist prescribers.
5,882 rheumatologists were identified. The study found that Rheumatologists tended to practice in areas with less deprivation, resulting in twice as many rheumatologists per 100,000 people in the quintile of lowest deprivation as opposed to the quintile with the highest deprivation.
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