Surgeon Shortage in Rural America Threatens Access to Healthcare
TL/DR –
More than a third of US counties lack a general surgeon, leaving 15.1 million people without access to surgical care, according to a report from the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The shortage is predicted to worsen, with an expected shortfall of nearly 28,000 surgeons by 2038, specifically in vascular surgery, ophthalmology, thoracic surgery, and plastic surgery. This shortage has severe implications for rural communities, as access to surgeons is a key part of their healthcare ecosystem and the demand for medical procedures is growing with the aging population.
Diminishing Access to Surgeons in Rural America
Research shows that rural communities in the United States face a significant deficit in health treatment, particularly due to a lack of surgeons. Out of 3,144 counties, more than a third – 1,180 counties – have no general surgeon and 951 of them have no surgeon in any of 12 surgical specialties, according to a report from the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This leaves 15.1 million people without access to surgical care and at least 434 rural hospitals in counties without a full-time surgeon.
Surgeon Shortage: The Current State and Future Projections
The supply of surgeons across all specialties is drastically varied and is expected to further decline. The ACS predicts that the United States is likely to fall short of nearly 28,000 surgeons by 2038, with the workforce meeting just 84.3% of the national need, according to a separate ACS study. The most significant gaps are projected to be in vascular surgery, ophthalmology, thoracic surgery, and plastic surgery.
The Impact of the Surgeon Shortage
The surgeon shortage is causing various harms to rural communities. According to Dr. Thomas Tsai, the medical director for health policy research at the ACS, many surgeons in rural communities serve multiple roles, making them essential to the broader rural healthcare ecosystem. As the country ages and requires more medical procedures, training isn’t keeping up with demand. This shortage could impact the average American, who may undergo up to 20 diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in their lifetime. As such, Tsai emphasizes the importance of expanding the supply of surgeons and sustaining viable surgical practices in rural areas.
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