Distribution and Location Stability of the Australian Ophthalmology Workforce: 2014–2019

Penny Allen, Belinda Jessup, Santosh Khanal, Victoria Baker-Smith, Kehinde Obamiro and Tony Barnett
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Penny Allen: Rural Clinical School, Hospitals’ Campus, University of Tasmania, Brickport Road, Burnie, TAS 7320, Australia
Belinda Jessup: Centre for Rural Health, Newnham Campus, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7250, Australia
Santosh Khanal: The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmology, 94-98 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia
Victoria Baker-Smith: The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmology, 94-98 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia
Kehinde Obamiro: Centre for Rural Health, Newnham Campus, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7250, Australia
Tony Barnett: Centre for Rural Health, Newnham Campus, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7250, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 23, 1-9

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the ophthalmology workforce distribution and location stability using Modified Monash Model category of remoteness. Methods: Whole of ophthalmologist workforce analysis using Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA) data. Modified Monash Model (MMM) category was mapped to postcode of primary work location over a six-year period (2014 to 2019). MMM stability was investigated using survival analysis and competing risks regression. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Australia. Participants: Ophthalmologists registered with AHPRA. Main outcome measures: Retention within MMM category of primary work location. Results: A total of 948 ophthalmologists were identified (767 males, 181 females). Survival estimates indicate 84% of ophthalmologists remained working in MMM1, while 79% of ophthalmologists working in MMM2–MMM7remained in these regions during the six-year period. Conclusion: The Australian ophthalmology workforce shows a high level of location stability and is concentrated in metropolitan areas of Australia. Investment in policy initiatives designed to train, recruit and retain ophthalmologists in regional, rural and remote areas is needed to improve workforce distribution outside of metropolitan areas.

Keywords: ophthalmology; workforce distribution; rural (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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