Subspecialty choice: why did you become a rheumatologist?

Objective: To determine the reasons trainees choose rheumatology as a subspecialty and to review the literature on career choices among physicians, particularly regarding the choice of subspecialty.

Methods: A questionnaire was designed to identify and analyze factors that influence rheumatology fellows to join the field of rheumatology. The questionnaire was administered online and answers were collated through the American College of Rheumatology Training and Workforce Committee, Subcommittee on Medical Student and Resident Recruitment.