Otolaryngology Provider Distribution Disparities in Pennsylvania

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology Workforce Analysis
• Healthcare Access and Disparities
• Geospatial Health Distribution

Background:

• Access to otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat) services is crucial for patient care.
• Understanding the geographic distribution of these specialists is essential for identifying potential access barriers.
• Socioeconomic factors and rural-urban divides can significantly impact healthcare provider distribution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the distribution of otolaryngology providers across Pennsylvania.
• To analyze the correlation between provider locations and socioeconomic status (Area Deprivation Index) and rural-urban classification (Rural-Urban Commuting Codes).

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study analyzing the locations of 563 otolaryngologists in Pennsylvania.
• Provider addresses were geocoded and linked to Area Deprivation Index (ADI) and Rural-Urban Commuting (RUCA) codes using census tract data.

Main Results:

• The majority of otolaryngology providers (93.5%) are located in metropolitan areas (RUCA 1-3), with very few in small towns (0.8%) or rural areas (0.4%).
• A significant portion of providers (38.3%) practice in areas with low deprivation (ADI deciles 1-2), while fewer (12.6%) are in the most deprived areas (ADI deciles 9-10).

Conclusions:

• Pennsylvania exhibits disparities in otolaryngology provider distribution.
• Access to otolaryngology services is influenced by socioeconomic factors and the urban-rural landscape of the state.