Distribution and Location Stability of the Australian Ophthalmology Workforce: 2014-2019.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the ophthalmology workforce distribution and location stability using Modified Monash Model category of remoteness.


METHODS
Whole of ophthalmologist workforce analysis using Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA) data. Modified Monash Model (MMM) category was mapped to postcode of primary work location over a six-year period (2014 to 2019). MMM stability was investigated using survival analysis and competing risks regression.


DESIGN
Retrospective cohort study.


SETTING
Australia.


PARTICIPANTS
Ophthalmologists registered with AHPRA.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Retention within MMM category of primary work location.


RESULTS
A total of 948 ophthalmologists were identified (767 males, 181 females). Survival estimates indicate 84% of ophthalmologists remained working in MMM1, while 79% of ophthalmologists working in MMM2-MMM7remained in these regions during the six-year period.


CONCLUSION
The Australian ophthalmology workforce shows a high level of location stability and is concentrated in metropolitan areas of Australia. Investment in policy initiatives designed to train, recruit and retain ophthalmologists in regional, rural and remote areas is needed to improve workforce distribution outside of metropolitan areas.
['Allen|Penny|P|0000-0003-1945-8049', 'Jessup|Belinda|B|0000-0001-9712-1703', 'Khanal|Santosh|S|', 'Baker-Smith|Victoria|V|', 'Obamiro|Kehinde|K|', 'Barnett|Tony|T|']
ophthalmology workforce distribution rural