The recent evolution of the breadth of practice for pediatric surgeons in the United States, 2005–2014

Abstract

Purpose

Our objective was to determine if there was an association between subspecialist supply and a specific sub-set of procedures performed by pediatric surgeons over a 10-year period.

Methods

Data source was the Pediatric Health Information Systems database. Included were patients < 12 years who underwent one of nine outpatient surgical procedures between 1/1/2005 and 12/31/2014. Procedures were grouped into categories: pediatric surgery cases (PS), overlapping otolaryngology cases (OO), and overlapping urology cases (OU). Outcomes were number of cases performed by pediatric surgeons per pediatric surgeon, and proportion of cases performed by pediatric surgeons. Linear regression was used to test for association and temporal trends.

Results

Included were 193,695 procedures, 18.9% PS, 4.8% OO, and 76.3% OU. There was a strong association between specialty supply and number of cases performed by pediatric surgeons. Temporally, there was no change in proportion of pediatric surgeons who performed PS cases (R² = 0.08, p = 0.08), but a downward trend in proportion of OO (R² = 0.82, p < 0.001) and OU cases. (R² = 0.79; p < 0.001.)

Conclusion

We found an association between physician supply and pediatric surgeon case type, and a reduction in OO and OU cases performed by pediatric surgeons. These findings suggest a narrowing of case-mix for pediatric surgeons.

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