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News -> July, 2004 News
Ron Cannon, MD
A recent manpower study has indicated several interesting trends as well as validating the primary role of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery in the treatment of nasal and sinus disease. This manpower study has determined key elements of the current workforce, scope of practice issues and geographic distribution of the specialty.
Key findings of the study include:
- A ratio of 3.163 Otolaryngologists per 100,000 population. This is compared to a ratio of 2.962 Otolaryngologists per 100,000 population in 1995. This increased rate of Otolaryngologists is likely due to a decreased retirement rate of practicing Otolaryngologists due to current marketplace factors.
- Increased women in the workforce/ women up make up 8.2% up from 6.5% in 1995.
Market force issues:
- Flat or decreasing reimbursement in the face of increased expenses. (Especially malpractice premiums)
- Gatekeeper concept waning, more access to specialist
- Increased office practice, less surgery
- "Graying" of the specialty. Largest number of practicing Otolaryngologists, ages 40-59. Improvement of the market with enhanced retirement portfolios pose a potential question regarding future needs for the numbers of practicing Otolaryngologists.
- Technological advancements will continue to expand the horizons of the specialty.
As regards nasal/sinus disease this study has documented the pre-eminence of the specialty. Several large national data sets (including Medicare) were examined to capture trends in nasal and sinus disease. These figures indicate that :
- Otolaryngologists perform the vast majority of these procedures. Additionally the Otolaryngologist performs a large proportion of traditional facial plastic procedures, including rhinoplasty.
- Continued technological advances as well as expanding scientific knowledge of the nose/sinuses will lead to new horizons in the care of patients with rhinologic disease.
Ron Cannon, MD
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