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Job outlook for surgeons in the United States
Surgeon job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected surgeon job growth rate is 7% from 2018-2028.
About 55,400 new jobs for surgeons are projected over the next decade.
Surgeon salaries have increased 5% for surgeons in the last 5 years.
There are over 32,876 surgeons currently employed in the United States.
There are 37,918 active surgeon job openings in the US.
The average surgeon salary is $155,553.
Are surgeon jobs in demand?
Surgeon job and salary trends over time
Surgeon jobs over time
Surgeon job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 32,876 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 15,498 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 28,682 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 24,221 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 27,186 | 0.01% |
Average surgeon salary over time
Surgeon salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $155,553 | $74.78 | +2.5% |
| 2025 | $151,776 | $72.97 | +1.7% |
| 2024 | $149,215 | $71.74 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $147,331 | $70.83 | --0.4% |
| 2022 | $147,928 | $71.12 | +2.2% |
Surgeon jobs by state
Most common states for surgeons
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 83 | 10% |
| 2 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 103 | 8% |
| 3 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 63 | 8% |
| 4 | Alaska | 739,795 | 57 | 8% |
| 5 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 418 | 7% |
| 6 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 147 | 7% |
| 7 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 68 | 6% |
| 8 | Vermont | 623,657 | 39 | 6% |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 72 | 5% |
| 10 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 297 | 4% |
| 11 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 241 | 4% |
| 12 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 207 | 4% |
| 13 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 194 | 4% |
| 14 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 114 | 4% |
| 15 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 76 | 4% |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 447 | 3% |
| 17 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 203 | 3% |
| 18 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 148 | 3% |
| 19 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 140 | 3% |
| 20 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 90 | 3% |
Most common cities for surgeons
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewiston | 1 | 3% | $171,675 |
| 2 | Grand Rapids | 3 | 2% | $116,161 |
| 3 | Crystal Lake | 1 | 2% | $117,373 |
| 4 | Everett | 1 | 2% | $145,979 |
| 5 | Jefferson City | 1 | 2% | $113,588 |
| 6 | Albany | 1 | 1% | $155,385 |
| 7 | Cambridge | 1 | 1% | $145,848 |
| 8 | Eau Claire | 1 | 1% | $133,349 |
| 9 | Largo | 1 | 1% | $84,204 |
| 10 | Houston | 2 | 0% | $101,413 |
| 11 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $145,863 |
| 12 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $117,501 |
| 13 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $98,286 |
| 14 | Jacksonville | 1 | 0% | $87,450 |
Surgeon job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of surgeon experts
Western University of Health Sciences
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
Colorado Mesa University
Marshall University
University of Virginia
The University of Akron
Morehouse School of Medicine
California State University, Chico
University at Albany, SUNY
University of Arizona
Virginia Commonwealth University
East Tennessee State University
American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
Dalton State College
Washburn University
Albright College
Indiana Wesleyan University
Northeast Ohio Medical University
Rebecca Moellmer DPM, FACFAS, FAAPSM, DABPM
Assistant Dean of Clinical Affairs and Faculty Affairs, Associate ProfessorWestern University of Health Sciences
Podiatric Medicine/Podiatry
What general advice would you give to a Surgeon?
Rebecca Moellmer DPM, FACFAS, FAAPSM, DABPM: My advice is to take every opportunity that comes your way. You don't know that you don't like it until you try it: serving as an officer of your local society, getting involved in research, student outreach, community outreach, special olympics, speaking for an online or in-person lecture, assisting an ortho on a knee at your hospital or writing a blog. So many things come to mind!
What Surgeon skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rebecca Moellmer DPM, FACFAS, FAAPSM, DABPM: When first starting out, regardless of your hard work and salary, live modestly and invest - find an investor you trust. Again, take every opportunity that comes your way. You'll meet new people and find new skills and interests. It is also important to take the path to board certification which opens more doors.
What will help Surgeons increase their earning potential?
Rebecca Moellmer DPM, FACFAS, FAAPSM, DABPM: Biomechanics was, is and will continue to be so important because of the demands on our lower extremity... surgeries need to look good but they also need to function and that's where our understanding of lower extremity biomechanics improves our outcomes.
Rachel Chappell
Assistant Program Director, Associate ProfessorWhat will help Surgeons increase their earning potential?
Rachel Chappell: Nights, holidays, weekends, and surgical subspecialty usually ensure a higher salary. Unfortunately, most of them are also associated with higher rates of burnout.
Abram Brummett Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorOakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
Department of Foundational Medical Studies
What general advice would you give to a Surgeon?
Abram Brummett Ph.D.: One thing I am seeing my medical students have success with is delving into ethics issues that arise in the medical specialty that interests them. This work often comes up in their residency interviews, which may impact their future training opportunities and eventual salary. I am very proud of the ethics research our students are doing at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine.
What Surgeon skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Abram Brummett Ph.D.: It's possible to have perfect medical knowledge and still be a bad doctor. This is because every clinical encounter is a moral encounter--one where patients need a physician who is professional, compassionate, and humanistic. Medical texts will not develop these critical characteristics, they will come through activities like engagement with the arts, community service, and maintaining a life outside of medicine. The excellent physician never forgets this.
What will help Surgeons increase their earning potential?
Abram Brummett Ph.D.: Thoughtful use of AI to enhance patient care is likely to be a critical skill for physicians to develop in the next 3-5 years. Newer physicians who may already have more familiarity with technology are well positioned to be pioneers in this process. It's not merely a skill to develop, but a potentially fruitful area of research to cultivate.
Youngmin Kim
Assistant Professor of PhysicsColorado Mesa University
Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Surgeons?
Youngmin Kim: Laboratory courses, arts and apprenticeships, basically anything that requires in-person training got hit hard. Some portions were mitigated along the way, but the general quality and accessibility of such courses declined in general due to many restrictions imposed on campus.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Surgeon job market given the pandemic?
John Colclough: Oh to have a crystal ball. Things are evolving so quickly! Broadway sets the tone and Broadway is still full of unknowns: Will we still be doing big budget productions and juke box musicals? Will shows that had established runs return? How will seat capacity change? Size of casts? Audiences??, etc. Then the national tours and regional theatres will have to figure out their course. Tours are promising to start up in 2021, but will they really? Will regional theatres survive? Summer stock companies were already disappearing at an alarming rate (well established companies of more than 50 years were gone BEFORE Covid hit.). So where does this leave us? Fear and uncertainty for theatre artists and the effect has been palpable both in the professional industry and in higher ed. Young people are reconsidering their options and well established mature artists are scrambling to find any kind of opportunity to pay the bills and to stay relevant. I know of a number of colleagues who have gone to Los Angeles in the hopes of attaching themselves to the NETFLIX, AMAZON PRIME, HULU market. The notion is that streaming companies are/will be up and at it before live theatre gets going. Also, lots of entrepreneurial efforts are underway. Small groups of artists are working together to create video, live stream and "Drive-In" style productions-anything to keep the fires burning while we wait and see what theatre life will be like after a vaccine. In terms of trends, one thing that I believe will stay long after the pandemic has subsided will be in the audition/interview process. The use of the "self-tape" and virtual audition/interview will stay a part of the actor landscape. Back in the '80s and '90s I remember long lines for open calls. Actors would wait hours for the opportunity to share a monologue or to sing 12 bars of an up-tempo or a ballad. I don't think we'll be going back to that practice. In fact I would hazard the guess that the industry will continue to explore other methods of virtual casting, which would necessitate performers being more facile with equipment and workspaces to record their material.
What Surgeon skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
John Colclough: This is a great question, and if I wish I had the answer. I do know this however, performers need to have a skill set that can subsidize their careers. The restaurant/bar industry, more than any other has answered this call. Unfortunately Covid-19 has impacted the restaurant/bar industry more than any other. So challenging on so many levels. What to do? Practical skills that correlate to an individual's unique interests seem like a good place to start. How can the performer utilize known skills to garner a paycheck? Everything from handyman/construction for those who excelled in their technical theatre classes, to personal assistants for those who have a flair for logistics could offer avenues for success if developed. With technology taking more of a central role in the industry, it's possible to enhance those skills during a gap year-this may not help with your monthly bottom line (financially speaking) but would make you better prepared once the year is over. Gap years are a perfect time to hone those skills that need a bit of TLC, for instance: dance classes, voice classes, picking up a second language or a musical instrument-anything that might add another skill set to the resume is worth the time and effort.
What general advice would you give to a Surgeon?
John Colclough: Be patient and stay informed. Many performers think their career is about the work in the rehearsal hall or in performance-not so, the real work is in the management of your business. Being an authority of WHO, WHAT and WHERE is key. WHO are the players in your market? The directors, actors, casting people, producing organizations, etc...these are who you need to know-your network. WHAT opportunities exist in your market? The theatres, video companies, universities (if you have an MFA you may be able to teach a class or two), Improvisation groups, any opportunity that allows you to grow your brand is worth your attention. And finally, WHERE are the opportunities-knowing your community and having a sense of how each company fits into the fabric of the community. Having a sense of where the company resides both geographically and virtually (web sites) and having a solid knowledge base of details of each company can inform your marketing tactics as well as provide you with specific details unique to each organization. Careers develop over time and keeping expectations realistic over the first year can be challenging. Be practical and methodical in your approach: save money (there's never enough), find a place to live (the best you can afford), find a side hustle (you're going to need money and routine), find out the lay of the land (WHO, WHAT, and WHERE), develop your skill set (take a class and meet colleagues), go to productions, screenings, workshops, document your growth (keep a journal or calendar to track your progress), celebrate your successes and be patient with your stumbles-Hard knocks are the best teachers!
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Surgeon job market given the pandemic?
Rajesh Balkrishnan Ph.D.: Focus on hiring restricted to those who can fulfill multiple roles in given jobs
Focus on hiring self-starters and those who can work independently and remotely
Focus on more remote technology-based healthcare delivery such as telemedicine
What skills stand out on Surgeon resumes?
Rajesh Balkrishnan Ph.D.: Flexibility and resilience with work
Ability to lead projects with minimal supervision
Self-starter abilities and evidence of adaptability to newer work environments
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Surgeons to find work opportunities?
Rajesh Balkrishnan Ph.D.: Areas close to IT Hubs or where there are many new startups (For example, Northern Virginia or Bay Area)
Areas where health care technology industry is growing (Boston, NJ)
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Surgeon job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Stephen Weeks: My guess is that healthcare will get a giant boost from the pandemic. We've already heard about mass retirements looming because healthcare workers have been stressed out beyond their limits, so that will open up a lot of jobs in an already growing industry. My guess is also that many people will be much more interested in hiring people with backgrounds in communicable diseases and epidemiology.
What skills stand out on Surgeon resumes?
Dr. Stephen Weeks: Generally, employers like to see "hands-on" skills for graduates. So, lab-based classes, internships, volunteer work (e.g., in hospitals or other health care settings), and experience in research labs look great on resumes. Because biology is such a diverse field, I cannot point to specific skills for the entire range of biology. Generally, however, having good writing skills will almost certainly be helpful for any biology career.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Surgeons to find work opportunities?
Dr. Stephen Weeks: I do not know the answer to this question. Healthcare is the fastest growing job market in biology, and such jobs are located primarily in larger metropolitan areas across the country.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Surgeon job market given the pandemic?
Erica Sutton: Our Associate Dean for Admissions reported that there has been an upward trend in applications, indicating that more people than ever are pursuing service in the medical field. We may see this trend occur also in "frontline specialties" such as emergency medicine and critical care.
What skills stand out on Surgeon resumes?
Erica Sutton: A desire to serve others greatly stands out this year.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Surgeons to find work opportunities?
Erica Sutton: The AAMC warns that there may be a shortage of 46,000 to 90,000 doctors by 2025. Geographically, this shortage will disproportionately affect rural communities. Rural America would be an excellent place to find work. In my experience, it is also amongst the most rewarding.
Dr. Eric Ayars
Professor and Chair of PhysicsCalifornia State University, Chico
Department of Physics
What Surgeon skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Eric Ayars: Learn a programming language, if you don't know one already. I'd suggest Python as it's very useful as a general-purpose programming language, and it's easier to learn than most. The ability to make a computer do something for you that isn't already programmed by someone else can set you apart as a potential hire. Pick something that you do every day on the computer anyway, and learn enough Python to make the computer do it for you automatically. For example, I regularly read three to four webcomics, so I wrote a program that pulls the new comic from those pages every morning and combines them on one page for me, ready to go by the time my morning coffee is hot. In the process I learned some useful programming techniques, which I've since used professionally multiple times!
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Surgeons to find work opportunities?
Dr. Cecilia Levy: I don't think so. As with everything, cities and higher population density areas offer more opportunities.
How do you envision technology impacting Surgeons in the next 5 years?
Dr. Cecilia Levy: Things change a lot and fast, and physicists tend to be aware of new discoveries. Usually, these can then be integrated into upper-level classes. As far as technology, physics is not engineering, but advances in technology can also be discussed in class. As far as impacting the field, there is always the possibility that new technological advances become very useful and incorporated into experiments. However, physics is a very, very broad field, and people specialize in many different areas. Some overlap very little. So some areas will be more impacted than others by a different technology, and experimental physics is probably more generally impacted than theoretical physics.
What experience really stands out on Surgeon resumes?
Charles Wolgemuth: Whether a student is applying to graduate school or to industry; work and/or research experience really stands out. From what I understand, specifics like which school someone attended, what grades they got, or what awards they received are secondary to having evidence that they can apply their education in a work environment.
What Surgeon skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Charles Wolgemuth: This is, of course, going to depend on the specific industry that a student is applying to. However, one skill that I have heard that is largely sought out is problem-solving. Any activities that allow a graduate to improve their problem-solving abilities will be beneficial, especially if the activity provides a demonstrable outcome to highlight the graduate's problem-solving abilities. In addition, computers continue to play a larger role in most industries, and the ability to code is a skill that will be more and more sought after.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Surgeons in the next 3-5 years?
Charles Wolgemuth: This, too, is going to be highly dependent on the specific industry. Automation is definitely going to impact more and more industries. A current technology that has been gaining a lot of ground in this area is Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. However, my own feeling is that these techniques are going to quickly run up against their limitations and may not continue to grow (though that may be more like 10-15 years in the future, not 3-5).
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Surgeon job market given the pandemic?
Supriyo Bandyopadhyay: The job market in physics and related fields will shrink worldwide, certainly in the U.S. academia, in the near future, because of the economic downturn brought about by COVID. It is not that the research funding in the U.S. has dried up, but most universities rely on student tuition as a steady revenue stream, and that has been adversely affected. Universities are experiencing hiring freezes, which does not bode well for Physics Ph.D.s. Industrial and government labs are not inundated with funding either. Increasingly, physics graduates in the U.S. should look overseas, where there may find better opportunities.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Surgeons in the next 5 years?
Supriyo Bandyopadhyay: This depends on how we handle the pandemic and other future world events (e.g., wars, conflicts, economic recession, etc.). If there is stability, the demand will grow. Otherwise, it will shrink. I expect the demand to grow rapidly in newly industrialized nations, if there are no unforeseen events, and the pandemic is brought under control.
What type of skills will young Surgeons need?
Dr. Reid B. Blackwelder: A constant need is for graduates to have an ingrained approach to having the legendary "bedside manner," which is best exemplified by the comfort with patient-centered communication skills. Attending to rapport, active listening for cues and clues, obtaining the patient's perspective of illness, and comfort in recognizing and responding to emotion are essential abilities.
In this new age, being able to translate those skills into telehealth visits will be essential.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Surgeons to find work opportunities?
Dr. Reid B. Blackwelder: Family physicians actually are the most recruited specialty, according to Merritt-Hawkins, for the last 14 years! So family physicians can find a good job in communities with needs easily. Family physicians do tend to locate in rural and underserved areas, more than physicians in other specialties.
How do you envision technology impacting Surgeons in the next 5 years?
Dr. Reid B. Blackwelder: As noted, telehealth will now be a routine part of providing care. However, this will be limited by another kind of patient access challenge. Many of the current patients cannot do a full telehealth visit because they do not have the right phone, computer, or internet access.
It's suspected telehealth will open the door to various medical smartphone apps.
I call current systems "EBRs" - Electronic Billing Records. They have nothing to do with health! We need an electronic record that actually focuses on health and not like current systems, which are all about billing. Physicians do more chart care than patient care. This has to change.
Melissa Matusek
Director of Marketing and CommunicationsAmerican College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
What type of skills will young Surgeons need?
Melissa Matusek: When DPMs enter the workforce after residency, the skills needed are many. First, they must have flexibility since the landscape and job descriptions of the profession of foot and ankle surgery are constantly changing. Those just out of training also must be motivated because the first few years out of training is when the stakes are high, when you are spending your time building a practice to prove your worth to patients and the profession.
Plus, aside from continuing to develop surgical skills and learn about the medical management of patients, there is an ever-changing need for a deep understanding of how the business of medicine works. Physicians are entering different work environments that place a variety of demands on them. Patients are also becoming more and more fixated on the costs of their health to themselves and are relying more and more on insurance coverage. These topics and skillsets are beyond the general knowledge base of resident physicians. They also need to be well-versed and adept in the changes in healthcare and insurance/billing practices.
The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons offers not the surgical skills courses needed for foot and ankle surgeons but also a coding and billing course to help practice management skills and show surgeons at all levels how to get paid for the services they perform.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Surgeons to find work opportunities?
Melissa Matusek: Positions for foot and ankle surgeons seem to be available across the country, with no particular region presenting more opportunities than others. It all depends on the type of work a foot and ankle surgeon is looking to practice and what type of setting. There are many types of practice settings available in the profession; it's all about preference and lifestyle.
There are medium and large group practices looking to expand across the U.S. and a good option for graduating residents entering practice. Again, it would depend on locality and lifestyle preferences.
Those newly practicing foot and ankle surgeons should also look to rural areas in either health systems or multi-specialty groups. Many residents taking hospital-based/employed positions in these underserved areas can receive excellent compensation packages. These are locations that likely have zero to minimal foot and ankle services but need to expand to serve the growing demand.
How do you envision technology impacting Surgeons in the next 5 years?
Melissa Matusek: Technology is constantly changing. The future may hold more individual and customized treatments for patients. While this may complicate the physician's job, it ultimately could make for better treatment plans. Data may also be more apparent with respect to a patient's genetic code, which could allow for more individualized preventive treatments.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, medicine has been able to adapt more with technology in regard to telehealth visits. As long as insurance continues to cover the service, it could become a regular option for patients and foot and ankle surgeons.
Insofar as a technology with surgical procedure impacts, new technologies and devices are a constant in the ever-evolving world of medicine. Foot and ankle surgeons should expect new technologies, and embrace the advancements that may come their way for the betterment of the health of their patients and the profession. As device advertising becomes more mainstream, patients may also be starting to ask for new technologies and foot and ankle surgeons will need to be kept informed on the latest advances.
Marcela Armenta
Assistant Professor of Medical Laboratory TechnologyDalton State College
Department of Allied Health and Social Work
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Surgeon job market given the pandemic?
Marcela Armenta: This pandemic has undoubtedly affected the lives of millions of individuals across the globe. Many have lost their jobs, had scheduled hours reduced, or some were even forced to take a cut in their salary. In my opinion, we will see the need for more remote work as it has become in great demand due to this pandemic. We have gone from e-commerce to online education to private healthcare. With the rise of working remotely, one of the most exciting trends that we will see in the job market is the opportunities and movement of skills worldwide. I can already see many companies source diverse talent more efficiently, especially from those that tend to be underrepresented in their area.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Surgeons in the next 5 years?
Brian Thomas Ph.D.: I think there will be an increase. We will continue to need new developments in technology, mostly renewable energy and communications. A physics degree gives one the skills and flexibility required to work in new, emerging technical fields.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Surgeons to find work opportunities?
Brian Thomas Ph.D.: I think there are opportunities everywhere. Some places may have a higher concentration of employment opportunities. A couple of examples would be Silicon Valley and the Seattle area, but technology companies are not just limited to those high-profile areas.
What experience really stands out on Surgeon resumes?
Justin Couchman Ph.D.: Even during the pandemic, the main things that stand out on a resume are internships and research experience. That might be online now or under strange new conditions, but still, get it where you can. Make an opportunity for yourself or suggest possible ways of getting involved in video conferences or online research. The methods are changing, but counselors are still working on Zoom and other platforms.
One of the most common interview questions is: "Describe a situation in which you faced great difficulty and how you handled it." Every recent graduate has been faced with great difficulty, and it is good to think about how you can handle it and pull as much good out of the situation as possible. In many ways forming your personal story is more comfortable today because there are many more challenges and many more opportunities to succeed.
How do you envision technology impacting Surgeons in the next 5 years?
Justin Couchman Ph.D.: Online counseling has been around for a while, but I think it will become a lot more mainstream, even after the pandemic. This will make psychological counseling a lot more accessible and in-demand.
Many apps either connect people to counselors or directly instruct people on how to follow different therapies or programs. In some ways, this is a potentially dangerous Wild West situation where anyone can make an app to help people. Some apps are great; some are not. We might start to see more regulation in this area.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Surgeons?
Justin Couchman Ph.D.: COVID-19 will probably have many long-term effects on recent graduates. For starters, many colleges are reducing or eliminating graduate programs. This means there will be fewer opportunities to attain degrees and licenses and potentially a smaller counselors' supply. This could go on for years. Simultaneously, demand for psychological counseling has never been greater and will likely increase over time. Those beginning in the field have tremendous opportunities to do great work and make good money to learn to adapt to our new reality.
Dr. Haydee Encarnacion-Garcia Ph.D.
Associate Professor, MPH Program DirectorIndiana Wesleyan University
School of Health Sciences
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Surgeon job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Haydee Encarnacion-Garcia Ph.D.: Public health values, traits, knowledge, and competencies become fundamental to developing emerging leaders working within the public sector during any given pandemic/epidemic situation. We must be aware of how the pandemic has changed the labor categorization of "essential" workers on a large scale and the impact on organizational strategies to respond effectively to the effects generated from the existing pandemic experience. Organizational shifts might include changes in policies, develop critical employee's competencies, and transition to social-behavioral interventions focused on population health.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Surgeons in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Haydee Encarnacion-Garcia Ph.D.: We observe how telemedicine or telehealth has become critical/crucial as a distribution tool of health-related services and information via electronic venues. Telemedicine or telehealth has become a way to exchange data between clinician(s) and patient(s), incredibly popular among the influencers, and extremely important to promote long-distance clinical healthcare and health-related public health education for communities located in remote areas. Telehealth applications most require the need to educate and increase health literacy among certain groups, such as the elderly. Indeed, mobile health and remote patient monitoring applications will turn out to be an essential advance to disseminate public health information and clinical data based on accurate and well-designed surveillance systems.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Surgeons in the next 5 years?
Dr. Haydee Encarnacion-Garcia Ph.D.: For example, recently, Indiana Wesleyan University established a Master of Science in Nursing/Master in Public Health (MSN/MPH) joint program resulting in a dual degree. This interprofessional collaboration between the IWU School of Nursing and School of Health Sciences will provide an opportunity for bachelor-prepared nurses to gain both advanced skills in nursing education and public health practice. This joint degree program is very timely to the current pandemic crisis and the current healthcare climate needs. According to the Bureau of Healthcare Workforce, estimates a 16% increase in public health jobs over the next ten years. This number is increased by merging nursing and public health combined positions. Nevertheless, we know that the pandemic continues to evolve, and the public health and healthcare practitioners must continue to deliver high-quality care for all patients. Therefore, it is critical during a public health crisis to ensure a well-trained public health workforce prepares to emerge as future leaders in this field.
How do you envision technology impacting Surgeons in the next 5 years?
Julie Aultman Ph.D.: For medical ethics and humanities, technology will have a major impact on how graduates and experts in the field - as they will need to examine the impact of these technologies, their limitations, and the ethical dilemmas that might emerge in the development or utilization of these technologies. For those graduates in my clinical ethics track of the MA program in Medical Ethics and Humanities, they have already experienced the use of telemedicine and, perhaps, in the future, teleconsultations in ethics and the ways they might communicate with patients, families, and providers in the future.