Trauma and Surgical Critical Care Workforce in the United States: A Severe Surgeon Shortage Appears Imminent

Background

We conducted a survey to determine the state of the trauma and critical care workforce and compensation for such surgeons.

Study Design

We sent questionnaires to 460 directors of Level I and Level II trauma centers in the US to gather information about their current and expected resource needs and compensation packages.

Results

We received responses from 117 directors (25%). Midlevel faculty mean salary was $282,000 ± $85,000; with a mean bonus of $33,000 ± $34,000; and a mean trauma call stipend of $1,690 ± $900. Mean of the yearly representative value units of work was 7,845 ± 3,154. An average of 1.7 ± 1.4 trauma surgeon positions per center are currently unfilled (mean vacancy duration of 19 ± 20 months), with another 1.2 ± 0.5 full-time equivalents expected to retire within 3 years. A mean of 0.9 ± 0.9 additional positions are expected to be added within the next 3 years because of the growing workload. By 2012, the US might have 1,500 unfilled trauma surgeon positions (with 2,250 occupied).

Conclusions

Trauma and critical care surgeons in the US are clinically busy and well compensated for their efforts, but a severe shortage of surgeons in this specialty appears imminent.