A Geospatial Analysis of the Sleep Surgeon Workforce in the United States

Abstract

Objective

This study investigates the geographic disparities in the distribution of sleep surgeons in the United States, focusing on the influence of regional sociodemographic characteristics on the proximity of specialized care for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) surgery.

Methods

This study is a cross-sectional observational geospatial analysis of sleep surgeons practicing in the United States. We correlated geographic coordinates of sleep surgeons with sociodemographic data from the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau and the 2021 American Community Surveys. Multivariate Poisson regression analyses were used to examine predictors of sleep surgeon density and presence across ZIP Code Tabulation Areas.

Results

Analysis included 205 sleep surgeons. The density of sleep surgeons was higher in urban and coastal areas. Sleep surgeons were also more likely to practice in locations with higher percentages of non-citizen (AOR = 1.067, p < 0.001) and non-White populations (AOR = 1.017, p < 0.001). Sleep surgeons were less likely to practice in areas with greater proportions of uninsured patients (AOR = 0.926, p < 0.001) and elderly patients (AOR = 0.964, p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Significant geographic and demographic disparities exist in the distribution of sleep surgeons, particularly marked by a scarcity of sleep surgeons in rural areas and fewer sleep surgeons in areas with larger elderly and uninsured populations. These disparities highlight the need for targeted interventions to enhance access to specialized OSA care, especially in underserved areas. Effective strategies to address these inequalities are crucial for equitable healthcare delivery and improving health outcomes for OSA patients across the U.S.

Level of Evidence

III.