In the past decade, the number of dermatologists in the United States (US) has increased, but distribution is skewed, with higher concentrations in academic centers and urban areas, resulting in a shortage in dermatological care.1,2 Non-physician practitioners, including, physician assistants (PAs), may fill this need, however, they are also unevenly situated.3 Therefore, our goals were to examine the distribution and ratio of dermatologists to dermatology PAs across the US.
Dermatologists, dermatology residents, and fellows’ locations based on state licenses were acquired from Doctordatabases Media Company (October 19, 2019). Members of the Society of Dermatological Physician Assistants (SDPA) and their practice locations were obtained (November 19, 2019). The dermatologist to dermatology PA ratio was calculated based on zip codes.
The analysis included 15020 dermatologists and 2695 dermatology PAs in 566 zip codes. There was a 1.8% annual growth rate in SPDA memberships from 2016 to 2019. The growth rates for dermatologists and the US population in 2017 were 1.8% and 0.8%, respectively.3 On average, there were 6 dermatologists per PA. In 12 (2.1%) zip codes, there were 0.5 dermatologists or fewer per PA, in 44 (7.8%), there were more than 0.5 and up to 1 dermatologist per PA (Table 1).
The ratio of dermatologists to dermatology PAs were unevenly distributed across the US (Figure 1). In general, more rural areas had lower dermatologist to dermatology PA ratios.1,2 Areas with fewer dermatologists were most impacted by the increased dermatology PA presence. While PAs may expand dermatology scope of practice, they are not meant to be permanent solutions to the dermatology shortage. For example, PAs and dermatologists biopsied 39.4 and 25.0 pigmented lesions, respectively, to diagnose one melanoma case.4 In addition, PAs are significantly less likely to diagnose melanoma in situ compared to dermatologists.4 Therefore, areas with low dermatology/dermatology PA ratios will likely lead to higher rates of missed diagnoses. Dermatology PA training consists of 100 hours of online modules and on the job training by supervising physicians.5 In 9.9% of zip codes, there was 1 or fewer dermatologist per PA, which translates to patients having an equal likelihood of being treated by a PA or dermatologist. Also, in those dermatologist sparse areas, PAs are most likely to be taught by only one dermatologist. In contrast, dermatology residents are instructed by a broad range of dermatologists with different subspecialties.
This study is subject to several limitations. The SDPA does not include all dermatology PAs and dermatology nurse practitioner (NP) data was not analyzed. However, had all dermatology PA/NPs been included, the dermatologist to dermatology PA/NP ratio would be even lower.
Dermatologists, dermatology residents, and fellows’ locations based on state licenses were acquired from Doctordatabases Media Company (October 19, 2019). Members of the Society of Dermatological Physician Assistants (SDPA) and their practice locations were obtained (November 19, 2019). The dermatologist to dermatology PA ratio was calculated based on zip codes.
The analysis included 15020 dermatologists and 2695 dermatology PAs in 566 zip codes. There was a 1.8% annual growth rate in SPDA memberships from 2016 to 2019. The growth rates for dermatologists and the US population in 2017 were 1.8% and 0.8%, respectively.3 On average, there were 6 dermatologists per PA. In 12 (2.1%) zip codes, there were 0.5 dermatologists or fewer per PA, in 44 (7.8%), there were more than 0.5 and up to 1 dermatologist per PA (Table 1).
The ratio of dermatologists to dermatology PAs were unevenly distributed across the US (Figure 1). In general, more rural areas had lower dermatologist to dermatology PA ratios.1,2 Areas with fewer dermatologists were most impacted by the increased dermatology PA presence. While PAs may expand dermatology scope of practice, they are not meant to be permanent solutions to the dermatology shortage. For example, PAs and dermatologists biopsied 39.4 and 25.0 pigmented lesions, respectively, to diagnose one melanoma case.4 In addition, PAs are significantly less likely to diagnose melanoma in situ compared to dermatologists.4 Therefore, areas with low dermatology/dermatology PA ratios will likely lead to higher rates of missed diagnoses. Dermatology PA training consists of 100 hours of online modules and on the job training by supervising physicians.5 In 9.9% of zip codes, there was 1 or fewer dermatologist per PA, which translates to patients having an equal likelihood of being treated by a PA or dermatologist. Also, in those dermatologist sparse areas, PAs are most likely to be taught by only one dermatologist. In contrast, dermatology residents are instructed by a broad range of dermatologists with different subspecialties.
This study is subject to several limitations. The SDPA does not include all dermatology PAs and dermatology nurse practitioner (NP) data was not analyzed. However, had all dermatology PA/NPs been included, the dermatologist to dermatology PA/NP ratio would be even lower.
