Analysis of the activity of vitreoretinal surgery in metropolitan France in 2016: Impact on training capacities

Author: Christophe Chiquet (France)

Co-authors: Mehdi Tadjine, Magali Bouisse, Patrice Francois, Julie Dufournet, Catherine Creuzot, Bastien Boussat

Purpose

To describe vitreoretinal surgery activity and vitreoretinal surgeons in private or public practice in metropolitan France over the year 2016 in order to anticipate surgical training needs.

Setting/Venue

We identified all medical procedures carried out in 2016 using the French National Healthcare System database. on behalf of the french Council of professors in Ophthalmology (COUF).

Methods

The study investigated the entire population aged 20 years and older on 1 January 2016 that had undergone vitreoretinal surgery, alone or combined with cataract surgery. We calculated the incidence of surgeries per 100 000 inhabitants 20 years of age and older in metropolitan France performed by ophthalmologists carrying at least 50 procedures during the year, the number of surgeons doing these surgeries, the mean age of these practitioners, and the number of surgeons older than 55 years.

Results

The study population included 57,947 posterior segment surgeries, 40% in the public sector and 49% in the private sector for private surgeons and/or public centers performing at least 50 surgeries/year. Private surgeons and/or public centers performing less than 50 surgeries/year yielded the remaining 11% of surgeries. The analysis included 356 vitreoretinal surgeons with a mean age of 41 ±10 years (39% female) in the public sector and a mean age of 47 ±10 years (14% female) in the private sector. The majority of urgent surgeries were for retinal detachment in 50.3% of cases (n = 29121). This study identified the university regions with the least number of surgeons and regions with surgeons older than 55 years of age, thus anticipating the training of new surgeons. Within the next 10 years, in order to maintain surgical activity, it will be necessary to train 56 vitreoretinal surgeons for regular activity in the field of surgical retina in France.

Conlusions

This study demonstrates the strong disparities in the geographic distribution of vitreoretinal surgery in France, and identifies regions that need training capacities to ensure a sufficient number of surgeons.

Financial Disclosure

None