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Pediatric dermatology workforce shortage: perspectives from academia
Brittany G Craiglow1, Jack S Resneck, Anne W Lucky
1Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
|October 7, 2008
Summary
The pediatric dermatology workforce is insufficient to meet academic and clinical needs. More training and recruitment are essential to address this shortage in academic centers.
Area of Science:
- Medical workforce analysis
- Pediatric dermatology
- Academic medicine
Background:
- Recent changes in board certification requirements necessitate an updated evaluation of the pediatric dermatology workforce.
- The current state of the pediatric dermatology workforce remains largely unquantified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify and characterize the academic pediatric dermatology workforce.
- To examine challenges in training, hiring, and retention within pediatric dermatology.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to dermatology chairpersons and residency directors across the United States and Canada.
- Data were collected from 80 of 132 (61%) academic dermatology programs.
Main Results:
- Over two-thirds of responding programs (56/80) currently employ pediatric dermatologists.
- 34 programs reported active recruitment for pediatric dermatology positions.
- A significant association exists between faculty numbers and resident interest in pediatric dermatology careers.
Conclusions:
- The existing pediatric dermatology faculty is inadequate for current academic and clinical demands at most institutions.
- Strategies to enhance exposure to pediatric dermatology for medical students and residents are urgently needed.
- Limitations include potential recall bias and a 61% program response rate.
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