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General medicine and related medical specialties--consultant survey 1991
C Davidson1, M A Thompson, S J Semple
1Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton.
Insights
A 1991 census of physicians in England and Wales found 3,573 consultants, with a significant number in general medicine. Physician demographics indicate future workforce challenges requiring careful manpower planning.
Area of Science:
- Medical Workforce Analysis
- Physician Demographics
- Healthcare Planning
Background:
- The Royal College of Physicians of London conducted a census of consultant physicians in England and Wales on January 2, 1991.
- The census aimed to provide an accurate count and understand the distribution of physicians across specialties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the total number of consultant physicians in England and Wales.
- To analyze the distribution of physicians by specialty, age, and gender.
- To identify potential future workforce challenges.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive census of all consultant physicians was conducted.
- Data was collected and cross-referenced with information from the Department of Health (DoH).
Main Results:
- A total of 3,573 consultant physicians were identified, closely matching DoH records (97% agreement).
- General physicians comprised 1,352 of the total, with common interests in cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, and thoracic medicine.
- A significant age bulge (40-50 years) suggests future vacancy increases, necessitating manpower planning.
- Women constituted only 13% of consultants in most medical specialties.
Conclusions:
- The census provides a detailed snapshot of the physician workforce in 1991.
- Demographic trends, particularly the aging consultant population, highlight the need for proactive healthcare workforce planning.
- Addressing the low proportion of women in medical specialties is crucial for future diversity and equity.
Abstract:
A census of all consultant physicians in England and Wales was carried out on 2 January 1991 by the Royal College of Physicians of London. The total number, 3,573, agreed closely (97%) with the numbers known to the Department of Health (DoH). Of this total, 1,352 were general physicians. Their commonest specialty interests were cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, and thoracic medicine; one-sixth of the geriatricians held posts with some general medical component. In all specialties there is a bulge in the number of consultants aged 40-50. This will lead to a substantial increase in the number of vacancies in the early part of the next century, and will need careful manpower planning. The proportion of women consultants in medical specialties, with perhaps the exception of dermatology, haematology, and geriatric medicine, remains low at 13%. An adequate 'safety net' of junior staff for the care of adult emergencies was present in most main district hospitals at the time of this census.