Current State of Florida's Otolaryngology Workforce

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology Workforce Analysis
• Healthcare Access Disparities
• Rural Health Challenges

Background:

• Access to specialized otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat) care is crucial for patient outcomes.
• Florida's diverse geography presents unique challenges in distributing healthcare professionals.
• Understanding the current otolaryngology workforce distribution is essential for strategic planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a detailed analysis of the otolaryngology workforce in Florida.
• To identify disparities in otolaryngologist distribution across metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas.
• To inform initiatives aimed at improving access to otolaryngology care.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional database analysis utilizing data from professional otolaryngology organizations and government health agencies.
• Categorization of Florida counties into metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas using 2023 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes.
• Collection of practice data from actively practicing otolaryngologists in Florida.

Main Results:

• Florida has 605 otolaryngologists across 67 counties; 82.1% male, 38.5% fellowship-trained.
• Metropolitan counties have 2.87 otolaryngologists per 100,000 people, while non-metropolitan counties have only 0.76 per 100,000.
• Twenty-five counties (18 non-metropolitan) lack any otolaryngologists, indicating significant access gaps.

Conclusions:

• A substantial deficit of otolaryngologists exists in Florida's non-metropolitan regions.
• These workforce shortages have serious implications for timely access to specialized otolaryngology services.
• Enhanced data collection is vital for developing effective strategies to mitigate these healthcare disparities.