Pediatric surgeon density in South Africa

Background: There are limited data regarding the available pediatric surgical workforce in South Africa and their employment prospects on completion of their specialist training. Methods: This aim of this study was to quantify and analyze the pediatric surgical workforce in South Africa as well as to determine their geographic and sector distribution. This involved a quantitative descriptive analysis of all registered specialist as well as training pediatric surgeons in South Africa. Results: The results showed 2.6 pediatric surgeons per one million population under 14 years. More than half (69%) were male and the median age was 46.8 years. There were however, more female surgical registrars currently in training. The majority of the pediatric surgical practitioners were found in Gauteng, followed by the Western Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal. The majority of specialists reportedly worked in the public sector, however the number of public sector pediatric surgeons available to those without health insurance fell belowthose available to private patients. Conclusion: Interprovincial differences as well as intersectoral differences were marked indicating geographic and socioeconomic maldistribution of pediatric surgeons. Addressing this maldistribution requires concerted efforts to expand public sector specialist posts. Study type: Descriptive audit (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.