Projected Shortages in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Workforce in the United States

Introduction: Previous studies have highlighted emerging deficiencies in the surgical workforce. This study analyzed plastic and reconstructive surgery workforce adequacy in the United States (US). Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of US-based plastic and reconstructive surgeons leveraging data from the Health Workforce Simulation Model. Demand and supply were defined as the projected number of full-time equivalent physicians needed and working in plastic and reconstructive surgery, respectively. Demand was modeled under status quo and improved access scenarios. Adequacy was defined as the ratio of supply and demand. Linear regression was used to analyze trends from 2024 to 2037. Results: The supply of plastic and reconstructive surgeons was projected to decrease from 10,310 to 8,540 over the study period (17.2% decrease, P<0.001). Demand was projected to increase under status quo (11,280 to 11,600, 2.8% increase, P<0.001) and improved access (15,290 to 16,270, 6.4% increase, P<0.001) scenarios. As a result, workforce adequacy in plastic and reconstructive surgery was projected to decrease under status quo (91.4% to 73.6%, P<0.001) and improved access (67.4% to 52.5%, P<0.001) scenarios. Non-metropolitan areas were projected to have significantly less workforce adequacy than metropolitan areas. In 2037, states with the lowest projected plastic and reconstructive surgery workforce adequacy were Maine (33.3%), New Mexico (33.3%), Indiana (32.0%), and Arkansas (27.3%). Conclusion: Sizeable projected shortages exist for plastic and reconstructive surgeons, which are greatest in certain states and non-metropolitan areas. Future work is needed to improve the adequacy of the plastic and reconstructive surgery workforce.