Specialty care by child neurologists: a workforce analysis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Pediatrics
• Healthcare Workforce Analysis

Background:

• Child neurology is a specialized field addressing complex neurological disorders in children.
• Understanding the current practice landscape and workforce dynamics is crucial for addressing healthcare needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To profile the current practice of child neurology.
• To assess child neurologists' attitudes toward their practice.
• To analyze the supply and projected growth of child neurologists.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to members of the Child Neurology Society and other eligible physicians in March 2002.
• A 65% response rate was achieved, with eligibility criteria applied to a final sample of 604 physicians.
• Practice characteristics were analyzed, and the full-time child neurologist supply was projected.

Main Results:

• The United States has 904 full-time child neurologists, equating to 1.27 per 100,000 children.
• Despite 90% career satisfaction, no growth in supply is projected over the next two decades.
• Average wait times for appointments are 53 days for new patients and 44 days for return visits, with longer waits in academic settings.

Conclusions:

• The current and projected supply of child neurologists may struggle to meet increasing patient demands.
• Long appointment wait times highlight potential access issues for pediatric neurological care.
• Strategies to address workforce shortages and improve patient access are warranted.