The U.S. faces a projected orthopedic workforce shortfall by 2036, with supply expected to fall by 2% while demand rises by up to 13%, according to a June paper published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Adequacy could drop to 89% nationwide — and as low as 42% in nonmetro areas.
Becker’s asked orthopedic surgical leaders how their organizations are preparing for the shortage.
Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: How is your organization positioning itself against national surgical workforce shortages through 2036?
Jack Jensen, MD. Orthopedic Surgeon at Athletic Orthopedics & Knee Center (Houston): A major challenge is adding highly qualified physical therapists and assistants, which are essential to our practice model. The need continues to rise, and shortages persist. We are addressing this by offering flexible hours, but because therapy is directly tied to our orthopedic practice, maintaining high quality is nonnegotiable.
Brian Larkin, MD. Chief Medical Officer at Orthopedic Centers of Colorado (Denver): The projected shortage threatens timely access to musculoskeletal care. Our strategy focuses on constant investment in our people, along with active recruitment and retention of surgeons committed to high-quality, cost-efficient care. We are also vertically integrating all aspects of musculoskeletal care, giving surgeons a stronger voice in shaping both their practices and our organization’s direction. This approach helps combat burnout by reinforcing physician leadership and engagement.
William Couldwell, MD, PhD. Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Utah (Salt Lake City): We recognize the workforce challenge in spine surgery and are actively recruiting neurosurgeons for both our academic medical center and community practices. On-call stipends support trauma coverage while surgeons build their practices. Our residency program emphasizes subspecialty training in spine, with many trainees completing enfolded fellowships during residency. We also expose residents to outpatient surgical center environments, preparing them for a future where more cases shift outside the hospital.
