General Surgeons In Texas Will Be Encountering A FewChallenges In The Near Future
By: Cory Ellerd
Submitted: 2010-04-29 14:15:39 | Word Count: 825
As is the case elsewhere in the country, General Surgery in Texas is undergoing many of the same challenges as other specializations. Of the roughly sixty three thousand doctors in the state of Texas, two thousand and forty eight specialize in General Surgery. For many of the 2048 Texas surgeons the future is uncertain. Of those 2048 surgeons, 1960 are M.D.'s and 88 are D.O.'s. While there may be some differences in training, both M.D.'s and D.O.'s are equally endorsed and eligible to become a doctor of surgery. A doctor of General Surgery typically has at least 13 years of education including a B.A. (undergraduate) in a healthcare or science related area, a medical doctorate (graduate, Alleopathic or Osteopathic), and an accredited General Surgery residency (post-graduate).
2010 Predictions for Texas Surgeons
[ advertisement ]
The Advisory Council for General Surgery stated that the number of general surgeons in the US in '94 was between seventeen thousand and 24 thousand, or a ratio of 7.1 general surgeons per 100,000 population. As many as one-third of today's practicing physicians may leave the workforce by the year 2020. It is predicted that because of the number of retiring surgeons employment for them is strong and should continue to grow. There is particular concern about shortages in the near future as older physicians retire. Rural areas are especially vulnerable to failing to attracting and retain physicians.
Increased numbers of career opportunities will be available for surgeons in areas of low-income socioeconomic demographics or rural areas. Surgeons earned an average annual salary of $240,533 to $361,589 in 2008, based on Salary.com reports. Salaries vary based upon experience in the field and professional sub-specialization.
Surgeons Salary Range
As with most careers, the years of experience, geographic location, the type of facility and determine the General Surgeons salary. The Allied Physicians Salary Survey revealed a difference in salary for general surgeons by years of experience as follows:
* 1-2 Years - $226,000
* 3 or More - $291,000
* Maximum - $520,000
General Surgery Career Outlook In Texas
The job forecast for general surgeons is good as the shortage for physicians is occurring around the world. Employment opportunities are expected to grow faster than average between now and 2014. The Department of Labor released information stating that 14.6 of all working physicians specialized in surgery.
The Aging Population in the United States
The US inhabitants are aging. From 2010 and 2035, all age groups 70 and above will go up by over 95%. This means there will be a elevated demand for all health care services and relatively smaller younger population of doctors taking the retiring doctors place . Some fear that as the Baby Boomers age group starts receiving Medicaid coverage the older doctors may retire more quickly rather than accept the lower fees and higher workload of the government funded insurance. Further, it is estimated that as many as one-third of today's practicing physicians will retire by 2020. However, the recession and massive job loss across the country has had a direct impact on the revenue stream to physicians. When people lose their jobs, they also lose their health care benefits and so access to health care.
Economic Decline and Its Affect on Retirement
The recent market's decline has influenced older physicians' decisions. Some physicians are putting off retirement because of the economy's impact on their retirement savings. But even a three- to five-year delay won't address the impending loss of experienced physicians. Some new doctors are looking for Locum Surgery jobs for the short term to remain obtainable for better opportunities.
Insurace & Healthcare Reform
Even with the health reform finally taken into law its effect on our health care is not known. By 2014 their will be an amplification in the enrollment into health care insurance programs. This increase when, combined with the long term aging of the population, should push demand for services and therefore cost higher. However, no one yet knows what will happen to return rates from Medicare and this new program. The question is will there be rate a cut of remuneration rates for different specialties by Medicare and this new program that may conversely become a decreasing factor of the income of all specialties including Surgery, its related specialties, and subspecialties.
Clearly the Obama administration has its hands full. We are growing older and there are fewer and fewer young people to carry this growing financial burden. The Sins of the Fathers.....
