How many surgeons are there in the united states

By Lisa Rapaport , Reuters Health. Reuters Health - The shortage of general surgeons in the U. Researchers predict shortages based on their estimates of population growth by and the number of medical schools and hospital-sponsored general surgery trainee positions in the U. By , there will be a deficit of 7, general surgeons nationwide, researchers calculated.

The shortages have set off alarm bells among leaders in surgery and academic medicine, and they have set out to find solutions. Despite burnout, surgery can be an incredibly rewarding career, say experts, but students need to experience it up close and early if they are going to develop a passion for it. While working at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Gonzalez, who is now chair of the department of urology at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, worked closely with the dean to bring urology to the forefront of education.

That process involved him advocating for urology as a required rotation and reaching out to students early and regularly to share the benefits of a career in the field.

Because residents tend to practice where they trained, medical schools and teaching hospitals are working to educate future physicians in areas hit by shortages. Established in , the school opts for applicants with ties to Nevada who want to live and work in the state.

Increasing the number of general surgeons aligns with that priority. According to a Nevada physician workforce report , the state ranked 49th in the country for general surgeons per , people. Halfway across the country, in the department of surgery at the University of Wisconsin UW School of Medicine and Public Health, the rural general surgery residency track is also helping fill the need for surgeons in underserved parts of the state, giving students the training necessary to serve patients in rural and community practices.

New section. They gain experience in diagnosing and treating illnesses through clerkships, or rotations, in a variety of areas, including internal medicine, pediatrics, and surgery. After medical school, almost all graduates enter a residency program in their specialty of interest. A residency usually takes place in a hospital or clinic and varies in duration, typically lasting from 3 to 9 years, depending on the specialty.

Subspecialization, such as infectious diseases or hand surgery, includes additional training in a fellowship of 1 to 3 years. All states require physicians and surgeons to be licensed; requirements vary by state. To qualify for a license, candidates must graduate from an accredited medical school and complete residency training in their specialty. Licensure requirements include passing standardized national exams.

Board certification in a specialty is not required for physicians and surgeons; however, it may increase their employment opportunities. To become board certified, candidates must complete a residency program and pass a specialty certification exam from a medical certifying board. Communication skills. Physicians and surgeons need to convey information effectively to their patients and to other healthcare workers.

Patients who are sick or injured may be in extreme pain or distress. Physicians and surgeons must treat patients and their families with understanding.

Detail oriented. To ensure that patients receive appropriate treatment, including medication, physicians and surgeons must be precise in monitoring them and recording information related to their care.

Physicians and surgeons must be agile and sure handed, especially when working with extremely sharp medical instruments. Leadership skills. Physicians and surgeons must coordinate with a team of other healthcare workers to manage patient care or direct medical procedures. Organizational skills. Good recordkeeping and other administrative skills are critical for physicians and surgeons in both medical and business settings.

Physicians and surgeons must remain calm and tolerant when working with patients who need special attention, such as those who fear or ignore medical treatment. Physical stamina. Physicians and surgeons may spend many hours on their feet, including walking between patient visits or procedures. Surgeons may spend a great deal of time bending over patients during surgery. Problem-solving skills.

In some situations, such as emergencies, they may need to analyze and resolve crises quickly. Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U. Source: U. Median wages showing the differences in pay between types of physicians and surgeons are not available, but mean average annual wages for physicians and surgeons in May were as follows:.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program. The growing and aging population is expected to drive overall growth in the demand for physician services.

As rates of chronic illnesses increase, consumers will seek high levels of care that use the latest technologies, diagnostic tests, and therapies. Demand for most types of physicians and surgeons is expected to increase despite factors that may temper growth.

New technologies, such as for remote monitoring, are expected to allow physicians to treat more patients in the same amount of time. As they become more widely adopted, these technologies may reduce the number of physicians needed to complete the same tasks. Growing demand for psychiatric care and improved access to mental health services will contribute to demand for psychiatrists. Consumers may seek fewer physician services if changes to health coverage result in higher out-of-pocket costs for them.

These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas.

The link s below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area. All state projections data are available at www. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area.

There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area.

There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code. This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of physicians and surgeons. Chiropractors treat patients with health problems of the neuromusculoskeletal system, which includes nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners coordinate patient care and may provide primary and specialty healthcare. Optometrists diagnose and treat visual problems and manage diseases, injuries, and other disorders of the eyes. Physician assistants practice medicine on teams with physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare workers.

Podiatrists provide medical and surgical care for people with foot, ankle, and lower leg problems. Registered nurses RNs provide and coordinate patient care and educate patients and the public about various health conditions. American Medical Association.

American Osteopathic Association. American Academy of Family Physicians. American Board of Medical Specialties. American Board of Physician Specialties. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. American College of Physicians. American College of Surgeons. For a list of medical schools and residency programs, as well as for general information on premedical education, financial aid, and medicine as a career, visit. Association of American Medical Colleges. American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.

Federation of State Medical Boards. National Board of Medical Examiners. National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners. United States Medical Licensing Examination. Allergists and Immunologists. Family Medicine Physicians. General Internal Medicine Physicians. Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Orthopedic Surgeons, except Pediatric. Pediatricians, General. Emergency Medicine Physicians.