Access to ophthalmologic care in Thailand: A regional analysis

Purpose: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that Southeast Asian countries have ≥1 ophthalmologist per 100,000 persons, equally distributed in urban and rural areas. However, regional patterns of eye care have been poorly characterized. This study investigates the distribution of ophthal...

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Main Authors: Christopher B. Estopinal, Somsanguan Ausayakhun, Sakarin Ausayakhun, Choeng Jirawison, S. Joy Bhosai, Todd P. Margolis, Jeremy D. Keenan
Format: Journal
Published: 2018
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http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/jspui/handle/6653943832/52809
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Institution: Chiang Mai University
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spelling th-cmuir.6653943832-528092018-09-04T09:32:43Z Access to ophthalmologic care in Thailand: A regional analysis Christopher B. Estopinal Somsanguan Ausayakhun Sakarin Ausayakhun Choeng Jirawison S. Joy Bhosai Todd P. Margolis Jeremy D. Keenan Medicine Purpose: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that Southeast Asian countries have ≥1 ophthalmologist per 100,000 persons, equally distributed in urban and rural areas. However, regional patterns of eye care have been poorly characterized. This study investigates the distribution of ophthalmologists in Thailand and provides regional estimates of access to ophthalmologists. Methods: We geocoded the work address of ophthalmologists listed in the 2008 directory of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists of Thailand. We determined the number of ophthalmologists per 100,000 persons at the national, provincial, and district levels using data from the 2000 Thai Population Census, and assessed demographic factors associated with meeting the WHO recommendation of ≥1 ophthalmologist per 100,000 persons. Results: In 2008, Thailand had 1.52 ophthalmologists per 100,000 persons; however, only 20 of 76 provinces (26%) and 134 of 926 districts (14%) met the WHO recommendation of ≥1 ophthalmologist per 100,000 persons. District factors associated with not meeting the WHO recommendation included a high proportion of children, a high proportion of elderly, and a high proportion of rural residents. Conclusion: Thailand meets the WHO's goal for access to ophthalmologic care, but the distribution of ophthalmologists is uneven, with less access to ophthalmologic care in rural areas. © Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. 2018-09-04T09:32:43Z 2018-09-04T09:32:43Z 2013-10-01 Journal 17445086 09286586 2-s2.0-84885010092 10.3109/09286586.2013.821498 https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=84885010092&origin=inward http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/jspui/handle/6653943832/52809
institution Chiang Mai University
building Chiang Mai University Library
country Thailand
collection CMU Intellectual Repository
topic Medicine
spellingShingle Medicine
Christopher B. Estopinal
Somsanguan Ausayakhun
Sakarin Ausayakhun
Choeng Jirawison
S. Joy Bhosai
Todd P. Margolis
Jeremy D. Keenan
Access to ophthalmologic care in Thailand: A regional analysis
description Purpose: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that Southeast Asian countries have ≥1 ophthalmologist per 100,000 persons, equally distributed in urban and rural areas. However, regional patterns of eye care have been poorly characterized. This study investigates the distribution of ophthalmologists in Thailand and provides regional estimates of access to ophthalmologists. Methods: We geocoded the work address of ophthalmologists listed in the 2008 directory of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists of Thailand. We determined the number of ophthalmologists per 100,000 persons at the national, provincial, and district levels using data from the 2000 Thai Population Census, and assessed demographic factors associated with meeting the WHO recommendation of ≥1 ophthalmologist per 100,000 persons. Results: In 2008, Thailand had 1.52 ophthalmologists per 100,000 persons; however, only 20 of 76 provinces (26%) and 134 of 926 districts (14%) met the WHO recommendation of ≥1 ophthalmologist per 100,000 persons. District factors associated with not meeting the WHO recommendation included a high proportion of children, a high proportion of elderly, and a high proportion of rural residents. Conclusion: Thailand meets the WHO's goal for access to ophthalmologic care, but the distribution of ophthalmologists is uneven, with less access to ophthalmologic care in rural areas. © Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.
format Journal
author Christopher B. Estopinal
Somsanguan Ausayakhun
Sakarin Ausayakhun
Choeng Jirawison
S. Joy Bhosai
Todd P. Margolis
Jeremy D. Keenan
author_facet Christopher B. Estopinal
Somsanguan Ausayakhun
Sakarin Ausayakhun
Choeng Jirawison
S. Joy Bhosai
Todd P. Margolis
Jeremy D. Keenan
author_sort Christopher B. Estopinal
title Access to ophthalmologic care in Thailand: A regional analysis
title_short Access to ophthalmologic care in Thailand: A regional analysis
title_full Access to ophthalmologic care in Thailand: A regional analysis
title_fullStr Access to ophthalmologic care in Thailand: A regional analysis
title_full_unstemmed Access to ophthalmologic care in Thailand: A regional analysis
title_sort access to ophthalmologic care in thailand: a regional analysis
publishDate 2018
url https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=84885010092&origin=inward
http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/jspui/handle/6653943832/52809
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