The orthopaedic workforce in Queensland now and into the twenty-first century

The objectives of this study were to determine the number and distribution of orthopaedic surgeons in Queensland at present and to assess the adequacy of trainee intake for the future. Characteristics of the orthopaedic workforce in Queensland in 1990 were analysed with regard to the total number of orthopaedic surgeons, their regional distribution, their ratio to the population and their age distribution. Similar statistics were derived for the years 1981 and 1986 and trends were examined. By projecting these trends, the number of surgeons likely to be practising in 2001 was estimated. Using projected population figures, the number of orthopaedic surgeons required in 2001 was calculated, assuming an optimum ratio of surgeons to population of one per 25,000. It was found that in 1990 sufficient orthopaedic surgeons were practising in Queensland but that there was some maldistribution. With the increased intake of five new training registrars per year, the number of orthopaedic surgeons in Queensland in 2001 should be appropriate, as long as current trends continue.