US Will Face A Shortage of Nearly 28,000 Surgeons by 2038, First Nationwide Study Finds .

Could growing workforce shortages compromise access to surgical care? A nationwide analysis projects that the United States could face a shortfall of nearly 28,000 surgeons by 2038, meeting only 84.3% of its projected surgical workforce requirements. Geographic disparities may further restrict access in rural communities. Although orthopaedics was not identified among the specialties with the largest shortages, these findings raise broader concerns about surgical capacity, timely intervention and future healthcare workforce planning.