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. 2021 Nov 29;18(23):12574.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph182312574.

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

Penny Allen  1 , Belinda Jessup  2 , Santosh Khanal  3 , Victoria Baker-Smith  3 , Kehinde Obamiro  2 , Tony Barnett  2
Affiliations

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

Penny Allen et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

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; rural; workforce distribution.

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Conflict of interest statement

S.K. and V.B.S. are employed by RANZCO. S.K. and V.B.S. were not involved in the data analysis or the interpretation of the results. The remaining authors do not have any relevant conflict of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Kaplan-Meier Survival Estimates for staying practicing in MMM1 and MMM2–MMM7, 2014 to 2019.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Stacked cumulative incidence plots for moving primary place of practice MMM or leaving due to other reason.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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