Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To describe the geographic distribution of board certified ophthalmologists (BCOs)in the state of Illinois with respect to the geographic distribution of Illinois population in the years 1990 and 2000, to characterize the degree of maldistribution of Illinois ophthalmologic manpower in each of these years, and to evaluate the change in the distribution of BCOs during this decade. Methods: 1990 and 2000 US Census Bureau data was used to characterize the geographical distribution of Illinois population. 1990 and 2000 American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) data was used to characterize the geographical distribution of board certified ophthalmologists (BCOs) in Illinois. The ratios of BCOs per 100,000 residents of every Illinois county was calculated for years 1990 and 2000 and the two sets of data were compared to each other. The density of BCOs in each county was plotted on the map of Illinois for each of the years in question. Results: The residents of the state of Illinois live in 102 counties. In 1990, the average number of BCOs per 100,000 Illinois residents was 4.8. There were 65 counties (1.26 million people, 11 % of state population) that had no BCOs at all and 72 counties (2.21 million people, 19.3 % of state population) that had less than state average ratio of BCOs/100,000 population. In 2000, the average number of BCOs per 100,000 Illinois residents was 5.1. There were 65 counties (1.31 million people, 10.6% of state population) that had no BCOs at all and 72 counties ((2.46 million people, 19.8 % of state population) that had less than state average ratio of BCOs/100,000 population. Conclusions: Almost 90% of Illinois population had access to a board certified ophthalmologist within their county of residence and more than 80% of the Illinois population resided in counties where the ratio of BCOs to population was more than state average in both year 1990 and year 2000. Little change in the distribution of BCOs occurred over that decade. Further study of distribution of ophthalmologic healthcare resources and appropriate government incentives may help to ensure that the distribution of eye physician and surgeon manpower in the state of Illinois remains adequate for all of the state’s residents.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: health care delivery/economics/manpower