title: The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus workforce distribution project.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe data sources and functional utility of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) workforce database and associated map files.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population data from the 2000 U.S. Census and current listings from the AAPOS and American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) databases were organized to demonstrate and analyze practitioner-to-population relationships for metropolitan statistical areas nationwide. An interactive map was developed to provide an intuitive graphical display of the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 749 active AAPOS members were distributed in 154 of 280 defined metropolitan statistical areas. Within these areas, a 0- to 20-year age subgroup varied from 17.8% to 42.6%, with an average of 30.4%. The AAPOS member-to-million-person ratio varied from 1.3 to 27, with higher numbers generally representing regions with population bases inadequately defined by Census Bureau statistical area definitions. Ratios for a majority of larger, better-defined areas ranged from 3 to 4 AAPOS members per million persons. Sizable areas with no AAPOS member presence were identified and tabulated. AAO members with a specified pediatric practice focus who were not AAPOS members were identified in 103 areas, possibly influencing patient choices and practitioner referrals for these regions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The AAPOS workforce database and related interactive map display practitioner and population data that may assist physicians and planners in targeting practice development and identifying potentially underserved areas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennesee, USA. robert.estes@vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Estes
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Estes
authors.forename: Constance
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: West
authors.forename: Jitka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zobal-Ratner
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Droster
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Simon
mesh_terms: D016208:Databases, Factual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D009885:Ophthalmology; D010372:Pediatrics; D012955:Societies, Medical; D013285:Strabismus; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce