The authors consider the economic decline of paediatric ophthalmology with a discussion of declining interest among medical graduates and in paediatric ophthalmology fellow numbers. Consideration is given to workforce issues in relation to poor revenue and an increase in the number of retiring paediatric ophthalmologists. Access to care issues include the impact of the COVID pandemic along with loss of revenue. Problems of access to paediatric eyecare include fewer ophthalmologists and less access to care, Medicaid coverage and outside care such as optometry cover. Possible actions identified include improvement of resident mentorship, increased government reimbursement and other billable paediatric practices and provision of government incentives for paediatric ophthalmology. Some of these issues are likely to be applicable to other countries where similar issues with declining numbers of paediatric ophthalmologists are being seen.
Issues relating to declining numbers of paediatric ophthalmologists
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe
The economic downturn of pediatric ophthalmology and its impact on access to eye care.
CONTRIBUTOR
Fiona Rowe (Prof)
Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, UK.
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