Despite a reported annual median salary of about $283,000, general surgeons are hard to recruit in the U.S. Several factors lead to the need for more general surgeons. Among these factors are a growing U.S. population, a growing aging population, and advancement of new technologies. The reasons cited for medical students not choosing general surgery involve the longer required training period, more demanding work schedule, and the level of stress that is part of this job. All of these factors may lead to a shortage in general surgeons.
Demand Increasing
Demand for general surgeons is high and the job outlook is very good. The U.S. population continues to increase with each census, creating more overall need for this category of physician. The more people who reside within the U.S., the more likelihood there is that more general surgeons will be necessary. Also, as new technologies make less invasive surgeries, such as laparoscopic procedures, more possible, there is a higher need for general surgeons. Procedures that used to be much more difficult and more risky are becoming less so.
In addition to the overall increase in the U.S. population, there is also an increasing aging population. As medicine and better patient treatment evolve, people are living longer. Older people generally require more surgeries than younger people, so the demand for general surgeons is climbing. With people living longer, coupled with the fact that new technologies make surgery easier and safer, more general surgeons are needed. Often people in their 80's are now able to more easily withstand and recover from surgery due to the better procedures and increased pain control.
General Surgery Not Attractive
Despite the good income and job outlook, fewer medical students are drawn to general surgery. Perhaps one of the main reasons involves the more demanding work schedule. General surgeons cannot easily plan for off time due to the nature of the work. Emergency patients always appear, plus general surgeons must perform pre-operative and post-operative care in addition to surgery. This creates stressful work conditions, and medical students have to weigh these realities carefully before choosing this area of medicine. There are many areas of medicine that allow for more scheduled work hours - and less stress, so it's not surprising why general surgery recruitment is challenging.
Another negative associated with general surgery is the fact that a longer training period is required. Due to the specialized nature of this work, residency terms are often extended for those training in general surgery since more time is required to master a host of skills. The work of general surgeons is less specialized, and involves being able to repair injuries, correct deformities, improve the health of a patient, and sometimes it is used to prevent diseases. A general surgeon has to know a lot about many different areas of treatment.
Possible Effects of Fewer General Surgeons
If the demand for general surgeons continues to increase and less medical students choose this area of medicine, the effect may be longer waiting lists for elective surgeries. Though this may be manageable to a point, it is not something Americans desire. After all, Americans don't like to wait for anything.
To learn more about careers in general surgery visit the
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