Need/demand and supply factors identified from systematic literature reviews of workforce studies in other medical fields than rheumatology
| Factors of need/demand and supply that were discussed in relation to workforce modelling process | Studies discussing the factor |
| Demand/need factors | |
| Use patterns, market factors (eg, access to services and preferences of health consumers), insurance coverage | 6 studies27 29 31 32 34 35 |
| Morbidity, mortality, incidence and severity, degree of need (dependency-acuity method) | 6 studies27 28 32–35 |
| Population growth, ageing | 7 studies27 30–35 |
| Desirable service volume (estimated demand for care), in relation to population health referral volume | 2 studies27 30 |
| Changes in guidelines that can help to anticipate increase or decrease in need/demand | 1 study27 |
| Income and education level, deprivation | 2 studies28 34 |
| Geographical distribution, travel distances | 2 studies28 30 |
| Adjustments for market inefficiencies1 | 1 study32 |
| Technology development, increased complexity of care | 4 studies29 32 34 35 |
| Supply factors | |
| Age structure, mortality, retirement, millennial and feminisation trends, full-time and part-time unemployment, manpower work pattern | 9 studies27–35 |
| Substitution rates, entry into practice and attrition, foreign medical graduates | 6 studies27 29–33 |
| Clinical FTE or % of non-clinical activities (research, teaching, travelling time, time out, time invested in education) | 6 studies28–30 32 34 35 |
| Mobility patterns and practice style, migration | 3 studies27 29 35 |
| Increasing no of support staff, task shifting, skill mix, expansion in roles | 3 studies27 29 35 |
| General labour market regulations (eg, Working Time Directive), economic and political factors, unemployment | 6 studies27 30–34 |
| Productivity rates, caseload, referrals | 4 studies27 28 30 31 |
| Practice organisation, staffing norms, skill mix | 2 studies27 35 |
| Payment methods, incentives | 2 studies27 35 |
| Job satisfaction factors | 2 studies29 31 |
| Spouse’s employment status | 1 study31 |
(1) Authors of the included studies have adjusted for known US health market inefficiencies, eg, that FFS (fee-for-service) practices require 56% more physicians compared with HMO (health maintenance organisations).