Allowing surgeons to work part-time may help reduce the shortage of surgeons, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
Researchers estimated the impact of an employment model for surgeons that includes part-time opportunities on the workforce shortage. They estimated surgical workforce in 2005, the number of Board Certificates granted each year and the number of retirees each year. They then created three scenarios in which one-quarter, one-half or three-quarters of potential retirees worked half-time for an additional 10 years.
Using this model, by 2030, there would be 4,125 additional surgeons in the first scenario, 8,250 in scenario 2 and 12,375 in scenario 3, representing an increase in surgeons of 4 percent, 8 percent and 12 percent, respectively.
The authors conclude that offering part-time employment to surgeons, particular mid-career women and retiring surgeons, could help mitigate the surgeon shortage.
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Researchers estimated the impact of an employment model for surgeons that includes part-time opportunities on the workforce shortage. They estimated surgical workforce in 2005, the number of Board Certificates granted each year and the number of retirees each year. They then created three scenarios in which one-quarter, one-half or three-quarters of potential retirees worked half-time for an additional 10 years.
Using this model, by 2030, there would be 4,125 additional surgeons in the first scenario, 8,250 in scenario 2 and 12,375 in scenario 3, representing an increase in surgeons of 4 percent, 8 percent and 12 percent, respectively.
The authors conclude that offering part-time employment to surgeons, particular mid-career women and retiring surgeons, could help mitigate the surgeon shortage.
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