hi guys-what do you think about the current/pending surgeon shortage? What do you think is causing this and how should this be addressed?
surgeon shortage
- Thread starter dapmp91
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236116
well, we have to fire about half of ours, and none of our residents or fellows can stick around, so that's ~20 back in the mix within three years. 
2
236116
we don't have a shortage so we're dumping some of ours. they can relieve the shortage elsewhere.
other plan: DNPs.
other plan: DNPs.
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I hear all this talk about how primary care is the new thing, and that there are too many specialists and not enough generalists. Thus, various people on SDN forums are proclaiming that the match will become obscenely competitive as medical school enrollment grows but only primary care residencies gain seats.
Yet I also hear about how there's a definite shortage of several types of surgeon (general surgeons and probably neurosurgeons at the least) if a slight surplus of other types (Cardiothoracic)
What gives? As a medical student, should I try to learn to love primary care, or will there be plenty of openings for doctors who can actually repair people?
Yet I also hear about how there's a definite shortage of several types of surgeon (general surgeons and probably neurosurgeons at the least) if a slight surplus of other types (Cardiothoracic)
What gives? As a medical student, should I try to learn to love primary care, or will there be plenty of openings for doctors who can actually repair people?
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The shortage of surgeons is really a predicted shortage of general surgeons. This shortage is predicted to exist because most people finishing general surgery residency aren't practicing general surgery. They are pursuing subspecialty training. There are various attempts to fix this problem (like the creation of the Acute Care Surgeon) etc, which supposedly will make emergency general surgery a sort of specialty. In other words, the problem is after training, and so the shortage doesn't create more training slots like it would in some sort of free market.
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There are either real or perceived shortages in a number of specialties. At least part of the problem relates to a maldistribution of providers, while a portion of the problem focuses on an increasing utilization rates when compared to historical norms. The fact that the physician coming out today, on average, does not wholly replace the services provided by the physician who is retiring also contributes. As Miami pointed out, there is competition within surgical fields such that the potential labor force has members siphoned off and into competing specialties. There are a multitude of reasons why there will be a physician service shortage over the next 20 years.
