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Subspecialty Distributions of Ophthalmologists in the Workforce
Paul P. Lee, MD, JD;
Dan A. Relles, PhD;
Catherine A. Jackson, PhD
Arch Ophthalmol. 1998;116:917-920.
Objective To describe the distribution of the supply and requirements for subspecialty ophthalmologists.
Methods Estimates from the Eye Care Workforce Study were used to provide subspecialty-based assessments of the supply and public health need, as well as market demand, for care provided by subspecialists. Reconciliation with the boundary models (optometry first, ophthalmology first) of the Eye Care Workforce Study and current market status also were performed.
Results Whether subspecialists are in excess depends first on which boundary model most closely approximates the current market conditions. Under an optometry-first model, 70% of all ophthalmologists are in excess, although subspecialists (39%) are relatively less in excess than comprehensive ophthalmologists (91% excess). Under an ophthalmology-first model, no ophthalmologists would be in excess. Extrapolating from current market conditions, a slight excess of ophthalmologists exists, probably proportional across subspecialists and comprehensive ophthalmologists. Future growth in the ophthalmologist supply will be almost entirely among subspecialists.
Conclusion Under current market conditions, substantial excesses in subspecialist ophthalmologists are likely to develop and grow worse over time, given current training levels.
From RAND, Health Sciences Program, Santa Monica (Drs Lee, Relles, and Jackson) and the Department of Ophthalmology, Doheny Eye Institute, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles (Dr Lee). Dr Lee is now at the Duke Eye Center, Durham, NC.
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