Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 22, 2025
Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Gynecologic Cancer
Published on: April 17, 2012
A look at the gynecologic oncologist workforce - Are we meeting patient demand?
Sarah A Ackroyd1, Ya-Chen Tina Shih2, Bumyang Kim2
1University of Chicago Medicine, Section of Gynecologic Oncology, 5841 S Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
Objective:
to examine the geographic distribution of gynecologic oncologists (GO) and assess if the GO workforce is meeting the demand for oncology services for patients with gynecologic cancers.
Methods:
We identified GO by National Provider Identifiers (NPI) and calculated county-level density of GO. County-level gynecologic cancer rates were derived from the U.S. Cancer Statistics to represent demand for GO services. A spatial data plot compared GO workforce to gynecologic cancer service demand. U.S. census county-level demographic information was collected and compared.
Results:
In 2019, 1527 GO had a registered NPI. Of 3142 counties in the US, 2864 (91.2%) counties had no GO in their local county and 1943 (61.8%) counties had no GO in local or adjacent (neighboring) counties. As the gynecologic cancer rate increases (described in quintiles) in counties, there are fewer counties without a GO or adjacent GO. However, county-level GO density (number of GO per 100,000 women) did not significantly increase as the county-level incidence of gynecologic cancer increased (r = -0.12, p = 0.06)… Women living in counties with the highest gynecologic cancer rates and without access to a GO were more likely to reside in a rural area where residents had a lower median income and were predominately of White race..
Conclusion:
There are a significant number of counties in the U.S. without a GO. As county-level gynecologic cancer incidence increased, the proportion of counties without a GO decreased; GO density did not increase with increasing cancer rates. Rural counties with high gynecologic incidence rates are underserved by GO. This information can inform initiatives to improve outreach and collaboration to better meet the needs of patients in different geographic areas.
Insights
Most US counties lack gynecologic oncologists (GO). Despite rising cancer rates, GO density remains low, leaving rural areas with high cancer incidence underserved. This highlights critical access gaps for gynecologic cancer care.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Geographic disparities in healthcare access significantly impact patient outcomes.
- The distribution of specialized oncologists, such as gynecologic oncologists (GO), is crucial for addressing the needs of patients with gynecologic cancers.
- Understanding the current workforce distribution relative to cancer incidence is essential for strategic planning and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map the geographic distribution of gynecologic oncologists (GO) across the United States.
- To evaluate whether the existing GO workforce adequately meets the demand for oncology services for patients with gynecologic cancers.
- To identify underserved populations and geographic areas with high gynecologic cancer incidence but limited GO access.
Main Methods:
- Gynecologic oncologists (GO) were identified using National Provider Identifiers (NPI).
- County-level density of GO was calculated and compared with county-level gynecologic cancer incidence rates derived from U.S. Cancer Statistics.
- Spatial analysis was employed to visualize the relationship between GO distribution and cancer service demand, incorporating demographic data.
Main Results:
- In 2019, 1527 GOs were identified; 91.2% of US counties had no local GO, and 61.8% had no GO in adjacent counties.
- Increasing gynecologic cancer rates correlated with fewer counties lacking a GO, but GO density per 100,000 women did not significantly increase with rising cancer incidence (r = -0.12, p = 0.06).
- Women in rural areas with high gynecologic cancer rates and no local GO access were more likely to have lower median incomes and be of White race.
Conclusions:
- A substantial number of US counties lack gynecologic oncologists, indicating significant workforce distribution challenges.
- Despite increasing cancer incidence, the density of GOs has not proportionally increased, leading to unmet needs, particularly in rural areas.
- Targeted initiatives for outreach and collaboration are needed to improve access to gynecologic cancer care in underserved geographic regions.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Cancer Survival Analysis
01:20Comparing the Survival Analysis of Two or More Groups