National shortage of pediatric specialists lengthens waits for El Paso-area families

EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — Families in the Borderland seeking specialty medical care for their children may be facing longer waits as hospitals nationwide compete for a limited and shrinking pool of pediatric specialists, according to El Paso Children’s Hospital.

When a child needs speciality care, families want answers fast but many parents in the El Paso area say finding a specialist is not always easy.

Some families have said they have to leave El Paso for care, while others face months-long waits to see the few specialists available locally.

Melissa Rodriguez, vice president of strategic initiatives at El Paso Children’s Hospital, said recruiting pediatric specialists has become increasingly difficult.

Julia Spencer reports on National shortage of pediatric specialists for El Paso-area families (Credit: KFOX14)

“Absolutely, so the hospital has been open for 14 years, so we’re still a very young institution,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said the staffing challenge is not unique to El Paso.

Asked whether the issue is national, she responded: “This is across the nation…”

The hospital serves a broad region beyond the city, Rodriguez said. “So for instance, we cover not only the El Paso region, we cover all of Southern New Mexico and West Texas,” she said.

Rodriguez pointed to national workforce numbers that illustrate how limited some pediatric specialties have become.

Nationwide, there are about 1,400 pediatric endocrinologists, she said, adding that “400 of those are nearing retirement age and there are only 50 fellows graduating every single year.”

For pediatric ear, nose and throat specialists, Rodriguez said there are 772 nationwide, and “304 of those are nearing retirement age and only 37 fellows are graduating every single year.”

For pediatric urology, she said there are 411 specialists, and “162 of those are nearing retirement and there are only 38 fellowship graduates every single year.”

Rodriguez stated this data comes from the recruiting firms the hospital hires.

Despite the recruiting challenges, the hospital said it has expanded some services in recent years.

“We have four orthopedic surgeons that are part of our team,” Rodriguez said. “We have neurosurgery,” as well as “neuro-spine as well.” She also said, “We have dermatology as part of our offering.”

Still, Rodriguez said the competition for specialists remains intense. “Competition is fierce in recruitment,” she said. “So there are other children’s hospitals always looking to recruit specialists from bigger programs.”

Until more specialists enter the field, hospital leaders say longer wait times may continue, though the length of the wait depends on the medical issue.

“So depending on the issue for what they’re being referred, wait times can really vary,” Rodriguez said.

She added that the hospital works with referring pediatricians to help families understand what to expect: “But we set the expectation really well with the pediatricians so that they can also talk to their families and let them know that yes, it’s going to be a minute, but you will get seen based on what your need is.”

Over the past five years, El Paso Children’s Hospital said it has reduced the gap in access to specialty care by 65 percent, helping families who otherwise would have had to travel elsewhere for treatment.

Even so, the hospital said some families still face challenges as it continues working to expand access to specialty care.

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