Here are eight key trends on orthopedic surgeons based on a report in AAOS Now.
1. The average orthopedic surgeon age is 56.12 years old, according to the 2014 OPUS report. Surgeon age has gradually increased since 2008, potentially due to the economic recession in 2008 influencing retirement deferment.
2. Most full time orthopedic surgeons are 40 years old to 59 years old. Most part time orthopedic surgeons are in their 60s or older, but part time employment among younger surgeons is also increasing as they seek opportunities outside of clinical practice.
3. The percentage of female orthopedic surgeons has steadily increased, but grows more slowly than in other specialties.
4. Asian Americans are the leading racial minority group of orthopedic surgeons for both male and female orthopedic surgeons, followed by Hispanic and Latino surgeons and African Americans. Female orthopedic surgeons are more diverse, with 19 percent being non-white; the male orthopedic surgeon population is 11.6 percent non-white.
5. More than half — 57 percent — of orthopedic surgeons in the United States are specialists with another 27 percent saying they are generalists with a specialty interest.
6. Younger orthopedic surgeons tend to be specialists while older orthopedic surgeons tend toward generalists. There is a large number of sports medicine specialists and smaller number of reconstructive joint surgeon specialists.
7. There was an increase in surgeons reporting specialization in these areas from 2012 to 2014:
- Shoulder/elbow
- Rehabilitation/prosthetics/orthotics
- Total joint
- Pediatric orthopedics
- Pediatric spine
8. The highest orthopedic surgeon density is in Montana, Vermont and Wyoming. The lowest density of orthopedic surgeons is in Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas and West Virginia. In most states, more than one orthopedic surgeon was added per 100,000 people since 2008, possibly reflecting delayed retirement, but the trend is expected to reverse over the next five to 10 years.
More articles on orthopedic surgery:
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Dr. Kevin Borchard joins The Memorial Hospital
Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan plans $10M facility