RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe practice activity trends among oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Australia over time. METHODS: All registered oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Australia were surveyed in 1990 and 2000 using mailed self-complete questionnaires. RESULTS: Data were available from 79 surgeons from 1990 (response rate = 73.8%) and 116 surgeons from 2000 (response rate = 65.1%). The rate of provision of services per visit changed over time with increased rates observed overall (from 1.43 +/- 0.05 services per visit in 1990 to 1.66 +/- 0.06 services per visit in 2000), reflecting increases in pathology and reconstructive surgery. No change over time was observed in the provision of services per year (4,521 +/- 286 services per year in 1990 and 4,503 +/- 367 services per year in 2000). Time devoted to work showed no significant change over time (1,682 +/- 75 hours per year in 1990 and 1,681 +/- 94 hours per year in 2000), while the number of visits per week declined (70 +/- 4 visits per week in 1990 to 58 +/- 4 visits per week in 2000). CONCLUSIONS: The apparent stability in the volume of services provided per year reflected a counterbalancing of increased services provided per visit and a decrease in the number of visits supplied.