title: The dermatology workforce shortage.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While many dermatology workforce projections over the past two decades forecasted an impending oversupply, more recent reports have begun to suggest a shortage of dermatologic services.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anonymous surveys administered to practicing dermatologists and to recent training graduates were examined for surrogate indicators of the supply and demand for dermatologic services.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean wait time for new patient appointments with dermatologists was 36 calendar days, but ranged widely based on location (means ranged from 9-120 days by state). About half (49%) of practicing dermatologists feel that they need more dermatologists in their communities, while only 20% describe the local supply as too high. The reported need for medical and general dermatologists is far more acute than for dermatologic subspecialists. Many practices (33%) are looking for new associates, and not surprisingly, most new graduates entering the workforce over the past 4 years (86-93%) do not describe any difficulty finding desirable positions. Fewer than 10% of recent graduates are dissatisfied with their current jobs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on survey data examining wait times, physician perception, use of physician extenders, searches for new employees, and experience of recent graduates entering the workforce, it appears there is an inadequate supply of dermatologists to meet the demand for services.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health Policy Studies and the Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, USA. resneck@itsa.ucsf.edu
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Resneck
authors.forename: Alexa B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Kimball
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003880:Dermatology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce