The United States dermatology inpatient workforce between 2013 and 2019: a Medicare analysis reveals contraction of the workforce and vast access deserts—a cross-sectional analysis

• DOI: 10.1007/s00403-024-02845-0
• Publication Date: 2024-03-14T18:01:50Z
• Authors: Jourdan A. Hydol-...; Matthew A. Gallardo; Abraham Korman; Lauren Madigan; Sabrina Shearer; Caroline Nelson; Kristopher Fisher; Kalyn Hoffman; Arturo Dominguez; Benjamin H. Kaffe...
• Keywords: Cross-sectional study

Abstract While time spent practicing inpatient dermatology has decreased since the 1990s, less is known about current state of dermatology. We describe distribution and frequency encounters servicing United States Medicare population between 2013 2019. Cross-sectional analysis publicly available Part B claims data from to 2019 was conducted. Main outcomes measures were characteristics trends dermatologists performing encounters. Categorical variables compared using χ 2 analysis. Trends analyzed for linearity Pearson correlation coefficient. 782 physicians met inclusion criteria inclusion. Dermatologists more often male (56.5%), possessing allopathic Medical Doctorate (MD) (86.3%), in metropolitan settings (98.2%). However, proportion female increased significantly (37.9% 46.2%). Across rural practices, number (2013: 356; 2019: 281) medical centers which occurred 239; 157) decreased, non-residency-associated institutions. Spatial revealed wide regions lacking meeting defined criteria. Limitations included need ten inclusion, counties without reported data. In conclusion, > 10 per year decreasing, large variations exist U.S. visits.