An unhealthy trend: U.S. has fewer general surgeons

Orlando Sentinel, April 22, 2008

Researchers have charted a nearly 26 percent drop in the ratio of general surgeons to patients since 1981, creating the potential for a "severe shortage" of such doctors in the United States. The findings come at a poor time, with aging baby boomers starting to need the skills of general surgeons for various procedures. In rural areas, the decline could mean more deaths from car accidents because patients will have to be transported farther or delays in elective surgery as people are forced to travel out of town.