The purpose of this study was to evaluate the paediatric ophthalmology strabismus (POS) fellowship match rate to determine the adequacy of the replacement rate in addressing the ongoing subspeciality shortage. The authors reviewed the period of 2016 to 2024 during which 393 POS fellowships were matched. Numbers were significantly lower than those matched to other subspecialties such as glaucoma, cornea and retina. Average annual percentage increase in POS matched fellowships was 0.91%, also lower than the percentage increase for the other subspecialities. This was consistent through the full-time period, year-on-year. The number of POS position offers increase by 10.2% up to 2024; less than other subspecialities where offers were twice/triple more. Vacant posts were at 29.8% which was significantly higher than other posts. Since 2016, AAPOS membership grew by 22% which represents a predominant increase in international members. Within matched fellowships, there was an increase in international fellows. The authors conclude there are consistent trends in declining POS posts with an impact to provider gaps and reduced access to paediatric eyecare.
Decline in paediatric ophthalmology strabismus fellowships and posts
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe
Analysing trends in the pediatric ophthalmology workforce from 2106 to 2024.
CONTRIBUTOR
Fiona Rowe (Prof)
Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, UK.
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