Ophthalmology is projected to have the greatest physician shortage of any surgical specialty by 2025, according to a December 2016 HHS report cited in Global Healthcare Advisors' latest Ophthalmology Market Brief.
GHA Managing Director JC Lupis shared the market brief with Becker's ASC Review. It is available for download here.
Projected supply, demand and shortage or surplus for 10 surgical specialties in 2025:
Note: Numbers were rounded to the nearest 10.
1. Ophthalmology
Supply: 16,510
Demand: 22,690
Shortage: -6,180
2. Orthopedic surgery
Supply: 24,350
Demand: 29,400
Shortage: -5,050
3. Urology
Supply: 8,830
Demand: 12,460
Shortage: -3,630
4. General surgery
Supply: 30,760
Demand: 33,730
Shortage: -2,970
5. Cardiothoracic surgery
Supply: 3,600
Demand: 5,410
Shortage: -1,810
6. Otolaryngology
Supply: 9,190
Demand: 10,810
Shortage: -1,620
7. Plastic surgery
Supply: 7,280
Demand: 8,770
Shortage: -1,490
8. Neurological surgery
Supply: 4,930
Demand: 6,130
Shortage: -1,200
9. Vascular surgery
Supply: 3,410
Demand: 3,930
Shortage: -520
10. Colon/rectal surgery
Supply: 2,120
Demand: 1,990
Surplus: 130