The Current Landscape of Ohio Otolaryngologists and Associated Conditions: A State- Level Analysis

Abstract

Abstract Background As demographics continue to shift in the United States, the access gap to doctors in specialized fields remains of utmost importance. This study quantifies the prevalence of otolaryngologists and otolaryngology subspecialists in Ohio, emphasizing related head and neck conditions. Methods This cross-sectional study utilized data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the CDC's Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) mortality file. Health outcomes for all 88 counties in Ohio, classification of Appalachian counties versus non-Appalachian counties, and data on otolaryngologists were assessed. The distribution of otolaryngologists was compared using t-tests and proportion tests. A t-test was conducted to analyze disparities in the prevalence of hearing impairment and oral malignancies. The relationship between otolaryngologists and various social determinants of health was explored via Pearson correlation tests. Results The results in this study showed that Appalachian and southeastern counties have fewer otolaryngologists (P < 0.001) and subspecialists (P < 0.001). A significant negative relationship was observed between otolaryngologists and rurality (R=-0.2, P = 0.02) and long commutes (R=-0.2, P = 0.01). Conclusion The study demonstrated lower rates of otolaryngologists and subspecialists in southeast and Appalachian areas. This may result in longer travel distances for patients or reliance on less specialized healthcare providers. Significant correlations between the prevalence of otolaryngologists and various social determinants of health were found, emphasizing the difficulties residents in southeastern and Appalachian Ohio face when accessing healthcare. The study calls for a multifaceted approach to ensure equitable healthcare access, between healthcare providers, policymakers, and cultural competence.