Workforce Issues in Pediatric Ophthalmology

Abstract

The fate of pediatric ophthalmology may be in jeopardy. For the past 20 years, there has been declining interest in the field compared to other subspecialties in ophthalmology, as fellowship positions and jobs remain unfilled. Of those fellows who do match in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, many are international medical graduates who often return to their native countries to practice, further diminishing the supply of pediatric ophthalmologists in the United States. In previous surveys, resident graduates have expressed disinterest in the field, reluctance to work with children, inadequate reimbursements, and insufficient interactions with faculty as reasons not to pursue this subspecialty. Millions of people throughout the United States do not have access to pediatric ophthalmologists, highlighting the issue of unequal distribution. As more pediatric ophthalmologists retire, there is concern that there will not be enough providers to meet the demands of this subspecialty. Although many of these factors deterring residents from entering this field have been resolved, the major issue of financial reimbursements has not been adequately addressed. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2020;57(1):9-11.].

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