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Shortage of Pediatric Dermatologists = Long Waits

PHILADELPHIA — A quarter of pediatric dermatologists report that new patients have to wait more than 12 weeks to get an appointment, and the average overall wait time for pediatric dermatologists is 6-8 weeks, according to a survey of 243 pediatricians, general dermatologists, and pediatric dermatologists.

In comparison, the reported median wait time for a new-patient visit is less than 2 weeks to see a pediatrician and less than 5 weeks for a general/adult dermatologist, Dr. Kristen Cam said in a poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology.

“A significant shortage of pediatric dermatologists is perceived by pediatricians, dermatologists, and pediatric dermatologists,” wrote Dr. Cam, a dermatology resident at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and her colleagues.

They conducted the survey to assess anecdotal evidence that patients experience long wait times to see a pediatric dermatologist. The researchers asked approximately 800 physicians from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Dermatology, and the Society for Pediatric Dermatology to complete a 45-question online survey. In all, 243 completed the survey. Of these, 19% identified themselves as pediatricians, 28% as general or adult dermatologists, and 53% as pediatric dermatologists.

More than 90% of the survey respondents perceived a shortage of available pediatric dermatology services. Almost half of the pediatric dermatologists reported that their practices are actively recruiting additional pediatric dermatologists. A quarter of them reported actively recruiting for more than a year, the investigators said.

Almost two-thirds of pediatric dermatologists practiced in urban areas. More pediatric dermatologists practiced in academic and hybrid academic/private practice settings than in private practice.

Slightly more than half of the pediatric dermatologists had completed a categorical pediatrics residency and almost half had completed fellowship training. Median salary ranges were comparable for pediatric dermatologists and general/adult dermatologists—$200,000–$250,000—despite additional subspecialty training. In comparison, the median salary range for pediatricians was $100,000–$150,000.

“Salary was perceived to be the strongest factor deterring physicians from entering pediatric dermatology,” Dr. Cam and her associates wrote.

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PHILADELPHIA — A quarter of pediatric dermatologists report that new patients have to wait more than 12 weeks to get an appointment, and the average overall wait time for pediatric dermatologists is 6-8 weeks, according to a survey of 243 pediatricians, general dermatologists, and pediatric dermatologists.

In comparison, the reported median wait time for a new-patient visit is less than 2 weeks to see a pediatrician and less than 5 weeks for a general/adult dermatologist, Dr. Kristen Cam said in a poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology.

“A significant shortage of pediatric dermatologists is perceived by pediatricians, dermatologists, and pediatric dermatologists,” wrote Dr. Cam, a dermatology resident at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and her colleagues.

They conducted the survey to assess anecdotal evidence that patients experience long wait times to see a pediatric dermatologist. The researchers asked approximately 800 physicians from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Dermatology, and the Society for Pediatric Dermatology to complete a 45-question online survey. In all, 243 completed the survey. Of these, 19% identified themselves as pediatricians, 28% as general or adult dermatologists, and 53% as pediatric dermatologists.

More than 90% of the survey respondents perceived a shortage of available pediatric dermatology services. Almost half of the pediatric dermatologists reported that their practices are actively recruiting additional pediatric dermatologists. A quarter of them reported actively recruiting for more than a year, the investigators said.

Almost two-thirds of pediatric dermatologists practiced in urban areas. More pediatric dermatologists practiced in academic and hybrid academic/private practice settings than in private practice.

Slightly more than half of the pediatric dermatologists had completed a categorical pediatrics residency and almost half had completed fellowship training. Median salary ranges were comparable for pediatric dermatologists and general/adult dermatologists—$200,000–$250,000—despite additional subspecialty training. In comparison, the median salary range for pediatricians was $100,000–$150,000.

“Salary was perceived to be the strongest factor deterring physicians from entering pediatric dermatology,” Dr. Cam and her associates wrote.

PHILADELPHIA — A quarter of pediatric dermatologists report that new patients have to wait more than 12 weeks to get an appointment, and the average overall wait time for pediatric dermatologists is 6-8 weeks, according to a survey of 243 pediatricians, general dermatologists, and pediatric dermatologists.

In comparison, the reported median wait time for a new-patient visit is less than 2 weeks to see a pediatrician and less than 5 weeks for a general/adult dermatologist, Dr. Kristen Cam said in a poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology.

“A significant shortage of pediatric dermatologists is perceived by pediatricians, dermatologists, and pediatric dermatologists,” wrote Dr. Cam, a dermatology resident at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and her colleagues.

They conducted the survey to assess anecdotal evidence that patients experience long wait times to see a pediatric dermatologist. The researchers asked approximately 800 physicians from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Dermatology, and the Society for Pediatric Dermatology to complete a 45-question online survey. In all, 243 completed the survey. Of these, 19% identified themselves as pediatricians, 28% as general or adult dermatologists, and 53% as pediatric dermatologists.

More than 90% of the survey respondents perceived a shortage of available pediatric dermatology services. Almost half of the pediatric dermatologists reported that their practices are actively recruiting additional pediatric dermatologists. A quarter of them reported actively recruiting for more than a year, the investigators said.

Almost two-thirds of pediatric dermatologists practiced in urban areas. More pediatric dermatologists practiced in academic and hybrid academic/private practice settings than in private practice.

Slightly more than half of the pediatric dermatologists had completed a categorical pediatrics residency and almost half had completed fellowship training. Median salary ranges were comparable for pediatric dermatologists and general/adult dermatologists—$200,000–$250,000—despite additional subspecialty training. In comparison, the median salary range for pediatricians was $100,000–$150,000.

“Salary was perceived to be the strongest factor deterring physicians from entering pediatric dermatology,” Dr. Cam and her associates wrote.

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